Proceedings of the Royal Irish Acadeinij. 



flat ground, in a rather broad valley, we have a rough, grassy heath, 

 with the following plants associated together : — 



Nakdus stricta. 

 Molinia varia. 

 Agrostis vulgaris. 

 Juncus squarrosus. 

 Scabiosa succisa. 

 Polygala vulgaris. 

 Pedicularis sylvatica. 

 Juncus acutiflorus. 

 J. communis. 

 Holcus laiiatus. 



Potentilla Tormentilla. 

 Eanunculus repens. 

 Galium saxatile. 

 Calluna vulgaris. 

 Ulex Gallii. 

 Carex glauca. 

 Vaccinium Myrtillus. 

 Festuca ovina. 

 Cnicus palustris. 

 Dactylis glomerata. 



The smaller areas near the extreme southern boundary of our map 

 at Scarlock's Leap, and in Glencree, have a similar composition. 



The Moorland Zone. 



Above the limits of the Ulex Gallii association, the hills are every- 

 where tenanted by one or other of the associations of the moorland type. 

 The most conspicuous of the moorland associations, partly because of 

 its great extent, and partly because it usually occupies the lower 

 slopes, where it meets the eye, is the familar Calhma moor. On the 

 higher grounds, where the flatter surface of the ground impedes 

 drainage, and precipitation and exposure are increased, Calluna^ 

 though still always present, becomes less predominant, and one or 

 more of several other plants become conspicuous, forming types which 

 may be distinguished as the Eriophorum moor, the Scirpus moor, and 

 the Racomitrium moor. The ground over 1500 feet, except where 

 drainage happens to be good, is usually in possession of one or other 

 of these associations. 



It may be pointed out at once that the Calhma type of moor, 

 wliich is often well developed over large areas of thick peat, wa& 

 probably not the association to whose growth the peat is due. 

 This was a wetter, faster-growing association, full of Cyperacece and I 

 Sphagjium^ which are but sparingly present in the Calluna moor — i 

 such an association, in fact, as those which now occupj' the flatter,^ j 

 higher grounds. I 



The Calluna Association. (C.) 



Calluna is absolutely dominant on the mountains wherever drainage 

 is good. This is sometimes effected by the slope of the ground, 



