1906 Prakgkr. —A Conference on Vegetation Study. 3 
A. G. Tansle}' described the quadrat method of large-scale 
vegetation surveys as introduced by Dr. F. K- Clements of 
the University of Nebraska, dealt with surveying by this 
method recently carried out by himself and Prof Oliver in 
France, showed examples, and advocated the adoption of the 
method by the Committee. After discussion, the Committee 
agreed to recommend the plan as a suitable one for large-scale 
surveys. 
After dinner C. K. Moss described the vegetation of the 
limestone dales of Derby and Somerset, illustrating his remarks 
with a series of 6-inch vegetation maps. Ash and Hazel scrub 
dominate the steep sides of the valleys, with grass heath giving 
way to Calluna heath above. The question of the occurrence 
of heath on limestone, thus raised, was discussed at some 
length. 
Dr. Smith dealt with the difficulties of preparing vege- 
tation maps on small scales — say less than a -J-inch to the 
mile — with special reference to the preparation of a map of the 
district surrounding York, for publication in the forthcoming 
British Association Handbook. An interesting discussion 
ensued, mainly on the question of actual and reconstructed 
vegetation maps — i.e., those which show the vegetation as it 
actually exists at present, and those which attempt to restore 
the vegetation so as to show the natural vegetation as it existed 
prior to human interference, and would again exist if man's 
influence were withdrawn. The difficulty was emphasized of 
ensuring the contemporariety of the various parts of a recon- 
structed vegetation, and it was agreed that, if restorations be 
shown on a vegetation map, they should at least be indicated 
by dotted boundaries. 
Resuming next morning in the botanical lecture-room at 
the University, the writer was called upon for an account of 
recent mapping work on the Dublin Mountains. Fortunately 
the final proof of the coloured map had arrived a few days be- 
fore, so I was able to show it in illustration of my remarks. I 
drew attention to the " Scirpus moor " and " Racomitrium 
moor " which are characteristic of the Dublin hills, and which 
apparently replace the "Kriophorum moor" so largely de^ 
veloped in the areas surveyed in the North of England. F. J, 
I^ewis stated, in the course of discussion, that he had found 
A '.; 
