37 
gahara ” — the plateau of the ever-green trees. As we have 
previously explained, this beautiful formation is caused by the 
Aogigahara lava and the underground water supplied by the lakes. 
Fig. 9. View of the north-western slope of the mountain, from Lake Shoj'i ; the dark band 
at the base of the mountain is the Aogigahara Conifer-forest. (Photographed by 
the author). 
Going further to the south-west through the Conifer-forest, 
we coine down to the height of 1248 m. of Part I., where the 
formation of an immense deciduous forest opens before our eyes. 
Tims, having completed our circuit of the mountain, let us 
consider the whole vegetation, combining the parts which we 
have discussed separately Generally speaking, the formations 
are found to be more developed on the south side than on the 
north. Moreover, the deciduous forest predominates on the 
south, while on the north the Conifer-forest attains its most 
luxuriant growth. This dilference of formation, as has been 
previously shown, is due to the physiography of the mountain on 
its different sides. 
So much for the general aspect of the plant formation ot 
