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sometimes destroy large portions of forest within, a few hours. 
On this mountain, all the present prairie formations, except 
that of the Hoy6 part, where the ground is not yet ready to 
accept plants, would have been a spacious forest formation but 
for being constantly burnt and cut over. Cutting is also 
an active factor in changing forests into prairie. In former 
times, there were, we are told, rich clumps of trees on the 
present prairie on all sides ; but in places near inhabited dis- 
tricts the cutting took place little by little, and thus in course 
of time, formed a broad prairie. As far as my observation 
goes, fire can not extend far upwards from the base. The 
flanking is much steeper in the middle portion of the slope 
than in the base, and on the steep flank, a strong wind 
is always blowing down from the top, thus preventing fires 
from spreading towards the peak. So, the deciduous forests 
may be destroyed by fire, but the coniferous forests are generally 
free from such destruction, owing to their situation. After con- 
sidering all the cases, I am forced to the conclusion that the 
present prairie is due to fire, or cutting over, except those parts 
on the Gotemba side where the volcanic ashes are too fresh to 
support vegetation. 
VII. ABSENCE OF PIN US PUMILA ON 
THE MOUNTAIN. 
Ascending as high as 2500 m., one is struck with the singular 
habit of the Larix in clinging to the ground, and stretch- 
ing its arms over it, owing to the strong wind which here 
prevails all the year through. It is interesting to observe 
that this Larix, which in the lower elevations has the habit 
of a tall erect trunk, is here so stunted and crushed down to 
