STORM BEACH 109 
and Spartina patens. Each of these, as we have already seen, may wander up 
from the belt below to a little above the 8-foot level. 
The frequency and the lower limit of distribution of the 26 species of inland 
plants found on the western shore between the 8 and 10 foot levels will now be 
noted briefly. ‘The level given in each case is that of the surface of the soil 
surrounding the stem. The wet or damp soil mentioned is that which is con- 
stantly saturated or nearly saturated with fresh water. We must keep in mind 
while noting levels what has been said above of summer tides that reach the 
9 and 10 foot levels. 
Acer rubrum occurs near the salt water at several places. The lowest tree 
noted (1,375 north) stood on wet soil at 8.8 feet, the leaves of its lower branches 
being submerged as the tide rose above 8.5 feet. 
Ailanthus glandulosa, a large tree at 1,330 north, at the 9-foot level. 
Alnus incana is frequent along the wetter parts, and gets down to 9 feet, as 
at 1,010 north and 1,270 north. 
Benzoin estivale occurs on damp soil at the 8.7 or 9 foot level at 1,000 north, 
1,250 north, etc. 
Bidens (probably frondosa) sometimes gets down to 8.25 feet. In 1912 
there was a group of 50 at 1,020 north, and a smaller group at 1,680 north. 
Cichorium intybus is found at 8.5 to 9 feet on dry soils, as at 1,050 to 1,100 
north. It is remarkable that this rather hardy species, which grows commonly 
near by, and can withstand submergence in salt water, has not established itself 
on the higher levels of the Spit. 
Convolvulus sepium is found at several places on moderately drained soil as 
low as 8.5 or even 8.3 feet, where it is sometimes mingled with such character- 
istic beach species as Solidago sempervirens, Atriplex patula, and even Scirpus 
americanus (near 1,700 north). 
Fraxinus americana occurs on moist but fairly well-drained soil at the 8.7 
and 9 foot level, as at 1,000 north and 1,750 north. 
Impatiens biflora is frequent beside the entering streamlets, where shaded, at 
8.5 or 9 feet, e. g., 1,005 north, 1,260 north, and 1,650 north. 
Iris versicolor is found on rather wet soil, where not too shady, at 8 and 8.2 
feet. It sometimes forms clumps a meter across, as at 810 north, 1,000 north, 
and 1,350 north. 
Juniperus virginiana, which is abundant a few yards back from this shore, 
may get down on well-drained soil to 9.2 feet, as at 1,760 north. 
Melilotus alba is found abundantly on damp soil between 8.5 and 9.5 feet on 
the wharf at 1,050 to 1,200 north. 
Panicum sp. has been noted but once on this shore, but is interesting, since it 
follows a rivulet down from 8.5 to 7.5 feet near 1,220 north. 
Periploca greca: One large vigorous vine of this climber, with several dozen 
stems from 10 to 20 mm. thick, has become established on soil at 9 to 9.5 feet 
near 1,800 north. 
Plantago lanceolata and P. major are present, but less common than on the 
east side of the Harbor. They both get down to 9 feet or slightly below. P. 
lanceolata is found at 1,900 north and P. major at 1,260 north. 
Polygonum lapathtfolium and P. sagittatum are established on very wet soils 
at 9 feet, occurring in one or two spots, as at 1,262 north. 
Prunus avium has established itself all along this shore, especially near 
1,000, 1,300, and 1,740 north. On hummocks of better drained soil it may get 
down to 9.25 or even 9 feet. 
Robinia Pseudo-acacia gets down to the same level with Prunus (at 1,750 
north). 
