432 



PLANTS, SEEDS, AND CURRENTS 



together with the intermediate forms. Subjoined are some measure- 

 ments of leaves made on dried specimens. 



Long-leaved form from Pico, length and breadth of leaf, 9-9-5 x 1*5 mm. 



Schimper (Ibid.) refers to Warming's view that the tendency of the 

 leaves of the form nana of J. communis to be appressed to the stem 

 as compared with those of the common form, where they stand apart 

 from it, illustrates a method of protection against transpiration. 

 My data indicate that the appression and shortening of the leaves 

 is most characteristic in the Azores of the dwarfed plants on wind- 

 swept mountains. The most typical forms of the long-leaved or 

 Oxycedrus type on Pico grew in relatively sheltered situations, 

 whilst the plants found in exposed localities at altitudes of 5000 

 feet and over belonged for the most part to the intermediate and 

 short-leaved types. Viewing the " brevifolia " variety as an adapta- 

 tion to the inclement climatic conditions of the higher levels of the 

 Azores, it is quite likely that the typical long-leaved, or Oxycedrus 

 type, largely disappeared with the destruction of the timber forests 

 that originally clothed the lower slopes of the islands. 



Laurus canariensis, Webb (= Persea azorica, Seubert). — The 

 " Louro " or " Loro " of the Azoreans and Canarians. Flowers 

 profusely in the Azores. According to the observations of the Hoch- 

 stetters and of Drouet it is in full bloom in May, but, as I found on 

 Pico and San Miguel, in 1913, the process may begin in March. It 

 is in green fruit in July, and probably matures its fruit in August. 

 The Hochstetters restrict it to the lower mountain woods of Pico 

 between 1000 and 2500 feet; but I found it to be also abundant 

 in the upper mountain woods, which extend to 4500 feet. Its usual 

 range on Pico is 1000 to 4000 feet, but it may extend to nearly 5000 

 feet. In the upper levels it is much dwarfed, the tree attaining its 

 greatest size in the lower levels (1000 to 2000 feet). On San Miguel 

 it occurs as a stunted growth at an elevation of 3000 feet. 



Littorella lacustris, L. — First recorded by Watson from Corvo in 

 1842, but not again collected in the group until 1914, when I found 

 it in abundance on Pico. That it exists on San Jorge is highly 

 probable. 



Lysimachia nemorum, L. — Under the name of L. azorica, Hornem., 

 this was at first regarded as a distinct species, and it was so viewed 

 by Watson, though he speaks of it as nearly allied to L. nemorum. 

 However, the two are united in the Index Kewensis as well as in the 

 monograph by Pax and Knuth on the Primulacece in the Pflanzenre ick 

 series (1905). During the last half of March 1913, on the slopes 

 of Pico, I found it in leaf and fruit, but rarely in flower. In June 

 and July of the following year it was abundantly in flower. It is 

 one of the most characteristic plants of the upland moors of Pico, 

 2000 to 4000 feet ; but when it finds protection in the beds of Heather 

 (Calluna) it may extend far up the steep lava slopes of the mountain, 

 even to 5600 feet. Seubert, who, it may be remarked referred it to 



Intermediate 

 Short-leaved 

 Short-leaved 



