An Ecologist ' 1 s Garden. 67 
Such is the situation of the garden and its history. What of 
its present state? It is naturally divided by the little streams 
which run through it: and the divisions represent the three 
continents—Europe, Asia, America. Each division contains the 
plants, and more particularly the trees, proper to it. The trees are 
planted according to the best methods of French forestry in specially 
prepared little terraces on the hill-side after the Sarothamnus 
purgans has been cleared away. In this department of course 
results are slow to come, but already it is possible to say of many 
trees whether or not they can be planted with hope of success. 
The main object is to find out those suitable for forestry purposes 
on the high mountains of southern France, with special reference 
to foreign species. 
To take concrete examples: comparisons are being carried out 
between Abies cephalonica (Grecian Mountains), AbiesPiusapo (Spain- 
Sierra Nevada), Abies Nordmanniana (Asia Minor) and Abies 
pectinata : between Cedrus Libani (Palestine) and Cednis Deodava 
(Himalayas): Abuts incana, Alnus viridis (North temperate 
regions), Abuts surrulata (North America), and Abuts glutiuosa. 
Here it may be noted that results obtained at L’ Hort de Dieu are 
correlated with facts ascertained from the collections round the 
forestry stations already mentioned. The plantations of young 
trees are supplemented by numerous rockeries of herbaceous plants 
and shrubs. 
To this more special aim must be added the study of the 
general ecology. Again to take concrete instances : Castanea 
saliva finds its natural limit at 3,410 feet on the southern slopes; at 
this level it is replaced by Fagus sylvatica, and the why and where¬ 
fore of this transition—a very sharp one—is a question of great 
interest. Quevcus sessilifiom is spontaneous to about 4,200 feet 
but does not produce fruit at this elevation—the problem offered 
still awaits solution. 
Naturally ecological observation is not bounded by the limits 
of the garden, in fact the whole mountain is like one gigantic 
experimental plot. On it may be studied the reason of the failure 
of Piiuis sylvestris and of the success of Pinus montana. The 
effects of snow and wind are exhibited with diagrammatic clearness. 
The effects of grazing animals are no less evident than annoying. 
A well-marked limestone flora is developed on the limestone bands. 
The connection between afforestation and water supply is a larger 
problem, and one of immense importance to the “ Midi,” and a 
comparison between the exploits of the Herault in the way of 
