452 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters . 
biennis , Melilotus alba ; Helianthus grosseserratus and Salix 
amygdaloides. These are species that are not found in the 
marsh meadow. At many places however Car ex stricta, Carex 
aquatilis, Carex riparia and Calamagrostis canadensis are flour¬ 
ishing and spreading from the sod transplanted to the tops and 
sides of the ridge five or more feet above the highest level of 
ground water and in direct competition with the recent in¬ 
comers named above. In such locations these species are not 
provided with their natural water conditions but are able to 
grow and spread when thus transplanted. 
The statistical study of the transect shows that the blue joint 
develops best between the border zone and the central wetter 
zone where the water level varies during the summer from 
about 4 to 20 inches in depth. The tests in the cylinders give 
the same result showing that this species thrives well with the 
water level at 4, 8 , 12 or 24 inches below the surface. 
The field study showed that red top, timothy, and alsike were 
confined to the border zone where the water level was at least 
three feet in depth throughout most of the growing season. In 
this case the results of the field study do not agree with the 
results in the cylinder experiment—thus indicating that other 
factors besides water level are concerned in the case of these 
species. 
The Evolution of the Maush Meahow 
As to the evolution of such a marsh as a whole the general 
principles of the physiographic theory as especially emphasized 
by Woodward (10) (1894) and later by Cowles (14) (1901) 
and Harshburger (19) (1904) are of considerable significance. 
Drainage has brought about the change from a water habitat 
to a condition such as is found on the marsh at present. More 
complete drainage will produce marked changes. In the vi¬ 
cinity various gradations coincident with degrees of drainage 
exist, showing progress toward a type of wild hay meadow with 
more grasses and less sedges. 
