BELT TRANSECT OF THE MARSH 119 
Atriplex patula hastata was found in a starved condition in the shade of the 
ferns of the second belt. In the fourth belt it occurs with Salicornia in the 
edge of tide-pools and on mud-flats. The leaves spread out in the normal posi- 
tion and are of normal shape. At 250 to 275 south they were badly eaten by 
insects in 1909. The first healthy, bushy individuals in our strip, plants 3 dm. 
high and 2 to 3 dm. across, were in the edges of mud-flats between 100 and 150 
south. But just east of our strip fine specimens occur at about 225 south. 
Inmonium carolinanum was first observed at 300 south and 1,070 east and 
again at 259 south by 1,068 east. These were small, feeble plants, not flowering. 
A group of stronger plants occurs at 215 south by 1,075 east. From this point 
northward the species becomes more frequent and more vigorous. In other 
places around the harbor it is quite able to hold its own in dense growths of 
Spartina patens and Distichls spicata. It is not hurt by such competition. 
Polygonum maritimum seedlings also occur around tide-pools and mud- 
flats, sometimes in great numbers. Only at 300 south by 1,075 east were they 
found flowering, and then as slender and weak plants, not over a decimeter tall. 
In other places on the Marsh a single plant of this species may be 1.5 or 2 dm. 
tall and as large in diameter. 
Distichlis spicata, though occurring along the boardwalk, may be said 
properly to begin with the tide-pools. It never looks starved, but occurs only 
in isolated stalks or small groups from 325 to 100 south. In the tide-pools at 
100 south and 1,075 east and 110 south by 1,080 east it first shows itself as a 
real invader, spreading by vigorous straight rhizomes. It is nowhere dominant 
in this zone. 
Eleocharis olivacea does not come farther north than 313 south. Carex tenera 
was not noted outside the Scirpus belt, though it was frequent there. 
A single seedling of Iva oraria was recorded at 300 south and 1,075 east. It 
was not found in 1911. 
One small plant of Atriplex arenaria was observed on the edge of a mud-flat 
at 250 south and 1,079 east. 
Seedlings of Aster subulatus occur around the mud-flats and beds of Gerardia. 
Sueda maritima was noted along with Polygonum maritimum at 300 south 
by 1,075 east. This is our only record of this species in this belt. 
In a tide-pool in this belt were found seeds of Prunus and Rubus in bird 
droppings, and a walnut, a pine cone, and a fruit of Gleditsia, doubtless carried 
by water. 
In a pool at 320 south various Cyanophycee were noted. A bare spot shaded 
by grass at 315 south was covered with Vaucheria. In a pool at 200 south, and 
again at 125 south, Beggiatoa was found. Rhizocloniwm was seen partly covered 
with silt at 225 south, and abundant on the ground among Spartina patens at 
115 south. 
The total number of species in this belt (20) is still considerable, but less 
than in any of the preceding belts. All of the phanerogams are such as inhabit 
only saline or brackish soils. 
5. SPARTINA PATENS BELT. 
A nearly pure growth of Spartina patens extends from 100 south to 10+ 
north, being from the 8-foot contour nearly or quite to the 7-foot. This might 
be regarded as a large patch from the preceding zone. But its location and 
