THE AZORES 



387 



Bracken (Fteris aquilina), the large tussocks of Polytrichum, and the 

 beds of Sphagnum. Among the most frequent flowering plants 

 are Anagallis tenella, Calluna vulgaris, Carex flava, Erythrcea massoni, 

 Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Luzula purpureo-splendens, Lysimachia nemorum 

 (var. azorica), Menziesia polifolia, Poly gala vulgaris, Potentilla 

 tormentilla, Sibthorpia europ&a, Thymus serpyllum (var. angustifolius), 

 and Viola palustris. In and around the pools grow Callitriche 

 aquatica, Carex stellulata, Littorella lacustris, Peplis portula, Pota- 

 mogeton polygonifolius, Scirpus fluitans, S. multicaulis, etc. (pp. 368-71). 



7. After discussing the prevailing climatic conditions on the upper 

 slopes of the great mountain (p. 371), the writer gives a general 

 account of its vegetation, commencing at the summit; but only 

 some of the special features can be here alluded to. Thus it is noted 

 (p. 373) that occasional stragglers from the upper woods reach far 

 up the mountain, stunted specimens of Ilex perado having been 

 observed at 6300 feet. Then it is remarked that on the scantily- 

 vegetated lava slopes, between 5000 and 6000 feet, a number of 

 herbaceous plants find a sanctuary in the beds of Ling (Calluna vulga- 

 ris), and that even the Juniper, as dwarfed specimens only six inches 

 high, finds protection there (p. 373). The prevalence of filmy ferns? 

 such as Hymenophyllum tunbridgense, on the tree-trunks of the uppei 

 woods indicates the humidity of the conditions in that zone, the 

 limits of which roughly correspond to those of the rainy belt (p. 375). 

 Two plants range through the whole height of the mountain, namely, 

 Calluna vulgaris and the narrow-leaved variety of Thymus serpyllum 

 (p. 376). Special reference is made to the unusual development 

 of Sphagnum on the south-west side (p. 377). 



8. The manner in which small craters and gulleys on the higher 

 slopes serve as refuges for plants of the lower slopes is then treated. 

 In this way plants of the lower woods find a home in the upper 

 woods, and plants of the upper woods in the slopes above (pp. 374-5). 



9. The mountain -lake district of the island of Pico is next de- 

 scribed. Here several lakes occur at altitudes of 2500 to 3000 feet 

 in the midst of a region of extensive wet moors and of large areas 

 covered with wood and bush. Very moist conditions prevail in 

 the woods, and here the Junipers attain their largest size, the compo- 

 nent trees being those of the upper woods of the great cone. Yews 

 (Taxus baccata) were once frequent in this locality, but are now 

 rare. The lakes are described in detail ; and in the account of the 

 vegetation growing in and around them the frequent association of 

 Littorella lacustris with a species of Isoetes is noticed (pp. 379-82). 



10. Some remarks are then made on the vegetation of the island 

 of San Miguel. On the lower slopes, so far as they are still held by 

 the indigenous flora, occur the characteristic trees and shrubs of 

 the lower woods of the mountain of Pico. The writer describes 

 his ascent in winter of Pico da Vara, the summit of the island, and 

 he observes that stunted growths of Juniper and Laurel (Laurus 

 canariensis) largely monopolise the higher levels of this mountain 

 ridge (pp. 382-3). A short account is given of his ascent of Santa 

 Barbara, the highest summit of Terceira, an ascent that is deprived 

 of much of its interest through the destruction of the forests (p. 383). 



