Woods of North-East Kent . 
883 
II. Flora produced during the light period. 
Felling takes place in the copses on the Thanet Sand at regular 
intervals of about fourteen years. The light flora produced agrees in 
general characters with that previously described in the copses of the Chalk 
and the Clay with Flints, but differs considerably in its specific composition. 
As before, it may be divided into— 
(a) Plants of the shade flora persisting during the light period. 
(b) Plants which can only exist during the light period. 
(a) After felling has taken place the plants of the shade flora which 
flower early in the spring still persist, although in most cases in diminished 
numbers. The decreased abundance is particularly noticeable in the cases 
of Adoxa Moschatellina , L., Endymion nutans , Dum., and Ranunculus 
Ficaria , L. The coppices are generally cut in December or January, and 
in the spring of the following season little change can be observed in the 
composition of the flora. During the subsequent years, however, the species 
mentioned, which during the shade period were in almost undisputed 
possession of the soil, come into competition with the plants of the light 
flora. The decrease in number of these plants is due, not to the more 
brilliant illumination, but to the greatly increased competition. The 
Anemone, however, shows no decrease after felling has taken place, but 
increases both in the number of the individual plants and in the quantity of 
flowers produced. 
The plants of the dwarf shade flora increase in abundance and flower 
freely during the first and subsequent years. Lychnis dioica , L., flowers 
during the first season, and in the next few years is one of the most striking 
species of the woods on the Thanet Sand ; the plants are numerous and 
luxuriant, and flowers are produced in great abundance. On the more 
stony soils, Solidago Virgaurea , L., is widespread and flowers freely. Nepeta 
Glechoma , Benth., Lysimachia nemorum , L., Rutnex sanguineus , L., and 
Holctis mollis , L., increase in amount and flower during the first summer. 
Rubus fruticosus , L., reaches its greatest development in the third and 
fourth year after felling. Eteris aquilina, L., develops rapidly with the in¬ 
creased illumination, and is present in abundance on the more stony soils. 
(b) As already pointed out the flora which appears after felling agrees 
generally in its composition on the three varieties of soil already distin¬ 
guished on the Thanet Sand. The plants making up this light flora are in 
many cases identical with those found during the light period in the copses 
on the Chalk and Clay with Flints. The resemblance between the vegeta¬ 
tion of such dissimilar soils can no doubt be explained by the lack of com¬ 
petition during the years immediately following the removal of the under¬ 
wood. As previously pointed out, under these conditions species with 
efficient seed distribution will seize upon the unoccupied areas and will 
