PROF. MARTINS : VEGETATION OF SPITZBERGEN. 



201 



wMch he occupies the centre, he would have a good idea of one of the aspects 

 of Spitzhergen, The islet, uncovered by the snows, on which he stands is an 

 additional analogy, and the comparison of the flora of this islet with that 

 of Spitzbergen, is one of the most legitimate and interesting that can be 

 made. Pictet and J. D. Forbes have found that the Jardin is 2756 metres 

 (9040 feet) above the level of the sea ; it is 800 metres (2624 feet) long, and 

 about 300 metres (1084 feet) wide ; its distance from the nearest rocks where 

 a number of plants are found is 800 metres (2624 feet) at least. The Jardin 

 is a group of protogine rocks, polished and striated, forming the angle between 

 the two affluents which form the Glacier of the Talefre ; the first and largest, des- 

 cends from the portion of the circus comprised between the Tour des Courtes 

 and the Aiguilles of Triolet and Lechaud ; the second and smaller proceeds 

 from the Aiguille Yerte and that of the Moine. Two moraines flank these 

 rocks, the one on the left being the largest j a spring rises from the middle of 

 the lawn and forms a small rivulet. The detritus of the moraine has been, 

 little by little, covered with plants and converted into a carpet of verdure, 

 which contrasts singularly with the white neveyAAoh. surrounds it. My friend 

 M. Alph. de CandoUe has collected into a special herbarium the plants found 

 in this locality gathered by different travellers who have successively visited 

 the place, in the following monthly order : — I have botanised here on the 

 24th July, 1846; Mr. Percy of Edinburgh, 26th July, 1836 ; Mdlle. 

 d'Angeville, 3rd August, 1838 ; M. H. Metert of Geneva, 8th August, 1817 ; 

 M. Alph. de CandoUe, 12th August, 1838 ; and lastly M. VenancePayot of 

 Chamounix, has also visited the spot several times, and in 1838 published 

 a catalogue of the plants found there. I have seen nearly the whole of 

 them in the herbarium of M. de Candolle at Geneva, and have verified their 

 names and synonymy in October 1854, with M. MuUer, curator of the her- 

 barium. We may consider \hi^ flora to be as complete as that of the Faulhorn, 

 and in the annexed list, those marked with an * are found in Northern 

 Lapland, and those in italics on the Paulhorn : — 



Phanerogamia of the Jardin de la Mere de Glace at Chamounix. 



Eanunculace^. Ranunculus glacialis, * L. ; R. montanus, * Willd. ; R 

 Villarsii, D.C. " 



CRUCiFERiE. Draha frigida, Gaud. ; Cardamine hellidifolia, L. * ; C. 



resedifolia, L. ; Sisymbrium pinnatifidum, D.C. 

 CARYOPHYLLACiE. Silcne rupestris, var. sub-acaulis L. ; S. acaulis, L. * ; 



Spergula saginoides, L. ; Arenaria rubra, L. ; A. serpyllifolia, L. ; A. 



No. 38, Novemher 15. N 



