NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



491 



reach freezing-point. The relation of these three types of chmate is 

 discussed with reference to tectonic factors on the one hand and to the 

 vegetation on the other. The northern extension of the Mediterranean 

 chmate and flora is defined by the high Ehodope range, but " enclaves" 

 of southern plants are met with up the valleys as far north as the 

 slopes of Yitosa, just south of Sofia. This same warm climate extends 

 up the valleys and spreads over the Eoumelian plain, which is much 

 warmer than the shores of the Black Sea, because it is protected from 

 the easterly and northerly winds by an undulating country. Turning 

 now to the north, one sees that the tectonic factors favour a southward 

 extension of the climatic conditions of continental Europe. Sofia, for 

 example, has almost the same annual temperature as Vienna which 

 lies 6° north, and it is much colder than places on its own latitude in 

 northern and central Italy and in western Europe. The influence of 

 mountain ranges is very evident on the Danube plain : the plains of 

 Hungary and Eoumania are comparatively warm because they lie close 

 under the shelter of the Carpathian system; on the other hand, the 

 plains between the Danube and Balkans are too far south to benefit, 

 but receive the full effect of the north winds from snowy summits. 

 Thus the northern slopes of the Balkans present a distinct contrast to 

 those on the south, where the Mediterranean conditions are evident. 

 The great summer drought of the Danube plain is due to the pre- 

 vailing east winds from Southern Eussia, which exert their influence 

 till stopped westwards by the mountains of Servia, and they penetrate 

 up valleys such as the Isker to the district round Sofia. In Servia, 

 the Save and the Danube flow from west to east, but along the tribu- 

 fcaries, the Drina and Morava, north winds penetrate far southwards 

 into the higher valleys amongst the Dinaric Alps. There are, how- 

 aver, sheltered " enclaves " where southern plants assert themselves. 



Dr. Adamovid is a strong supporter of the influence of tectonic 

 factors on vegetation, and it has just been shown how they affect the 

 3limate in Moesia. In discussing the ecological or environmental con- 

 iitions of the vegetation the same argument is maintained, as may be in- 

 licated by a few extracts. " In many ecological publications, the great- 

 est influence is ascribed to climatic conditions." " Others strive to trace 

 everything to the influence of the soil." ** Without denying that great 

 \nfluence must be ascribed to these two factors, we must still maintain 

 hat neither climate alone, nor soil alone, nor both together, entirely 

 letermines the composition and the character of the vegetation." The 

 mthor is thus of opinion that the influence of tectonic factors is 

 jieglected. One might discuss this imputation if any ground existed 

 or it, but no one who has read the ecological writings of Schimper, 

 vVarming, Schroter, or Flahault, can lay them down without feeling 

 hat oceans, mountains, rivers, and plams all play their part in influenc- 

 fng chmate, soil and vegetation. There is, however, enough in Dr. 

 fVdamovid's treatment of this subject to convey a lesson in considering 

 he vegetation of say the mountainous parts of Britain. The influence 



mountains as barriers to climate has its effect on the vegetation, 



