Although an attempt to discuss the character and relations of the Flora of a region so wide and so little known as the mountain region of the Great Atlas would as yet be quite premature, it appears that the materials at our disposal suffice for an examination of the vegetation of the valleys lying south and south-west of the city of Marocco, which may be an acceptable contribution to botanical geography. For this purpose it seems best to limit the discussion to the two valleys where our collections were sufficiently extensive to give a tolerably complete representation of the vegetation, as far as this was developed at the season of our visit, and to exclude altogether the plants found along the skirts of the great range below the level of about 1,200 metres above the sea. The Flora of the zone below that level is largely mixed up with extraneous elements, represented by plants of the low country that reach the base of the mountains, but do not penetrate the interior valleys, and if these had been admitted the special features of the mountain Flora would have become less apparent. The plants collected in the course of a somewhat hurried excursion from Seksaoua, when we reached a height of about 1,600 metres, have been designedly omitted. On such occasions attention is to a great extent monopolised by the new and rare species not hitherto seen in the same region, while comparatively familiar forms are less carefully noted. Collections made under such circumstances rarely give a moderately complete report of the vegetable population.
In ascending to the higher region of mountains that approach to the limit of vegetation the absolute number of species is so much smaller that this source of error is far less apparent; and it is not likely that in the two ascents which we made to the dividing ridge of the Atlas many species that came within our range of vision were overlooked. The following tabular arrangement shows that in the Aït Mesan valley, where we spent the greater part of six days, we collected 375 species of phænogamous plants, to which have been added three subsequently found there by MM. Rein and Fritsch; while in the Amsmiz valley only 223 species—or less than three-fifths of the above number—were collected. Of these 146 species are common to both valleys; so that our list does not in all exceed 455 species of flowering plants, to which I have added 10 vascular cryptogams, of which two only were found in the Amsmiz valley.
In the following list I distinguish a middle zone, extending from 1,200 to 2,000 metres above the sea, and a superior zone including all above that limit; the latter corresponding pretty nearly with the sub-alpine and alpine zones of the higher mountains of Europe. With reference to their distribution I have divided the species into four categories: 1, Mid-European, those extending to Central Europe, of which more than three-fourths belong to the British Flora: 2, wide-spread Mediterranean, extending beyond the bounds of the three adjoining regions, Algeria, the Spanish peninsula, and the Canary Islands: 3, confined to adjoining regions; that is, to one or more of those just enumerated: 4, endemic, known only in the Great Atlas, or the neighbouring provinces of Marocco.
Tabular View of the Mountain Flora of the Great Atlas, showing the distribution of the Species found in the Valleys of Aït Mesan and Amsmiz. S indicates the superior zone from 2,000 m. to 3,500 m. above the sea; M the middle (or mountain) zone, from 1,200 m. to 2,000 m.
| Name of Species | Aït Mesan | Amsmiz | Mid-European | Wide-spread Mediterranean | Confined to adjoining regions | Endemic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranunculus spicatus, L. var. | — | S | — | — | * | — |
| „ atlanticus, Ball | M | M | — | — | * | |
| „ bulbosus, L. var. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| „ arvensis, L. | M S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ muricatus, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ Reinii, nov. sp. | S | — | — | — | — | * |
| Aquilegia vulgaris, L. var. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| Delphinium Balansæ, B. et R. var.? | S | S | — | — | * | — |
| Berberis cretica, L. var. | — | S | — | * | — | — |
| Papaver tenue, Ball | M S | M S | — | — | — | * |
| „ rupifragum, B. et R. var. | S | S | — | — | * | — |
| Rœmeria hybrida, D.C. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Hypecoum pendulum, L. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Corydalis heterocarpa (Dur.) | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Fumaria officinalis, L. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ parviflora, Lam. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ media, Lois var. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ agraria, Lag. var. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ tenuisecta, Ball. | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| Nasturtium officinale, R. Br. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ atlanticum, Ball | S | — | — | — | — | * |
| Arabis albida, Stev. | S | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ erubescens, Ball | S | — | — | * | ||
| „ auriculata, Lam. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ decumbens, Ball | S | S | — | — | * | |
| „ conringioides, Ball | S | S | — | * | ||
| Cardamine hirsuta, L. var. | — | S | * | — | — | |
| Alyssum alpestre, L. vars. | M | M | * | — | ||
| „ montanum, L. var. | S | * | — | — | ||
| „ campestre, L. | M S | — | * | — | ||
| „ calycinum, L. | M S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ spinosum, L. | S | — | — | * | — | |
| Draba hispanica, Boiss. | — | S | — | — | * | |
| Sisymbrium Thalianum | S | * | — | — | ||
| „ runcinatum, Lag. var. | — | M | — | — | * | |
| Erysimum australe, Gay, var, | M S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| Brassica rerayensis, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | |
| Capsella bursa-pastoris, L. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Lepidium nebrodense, Raf. var. | S | — | * | — | ||
| Biscutella lyrata, L. var. | S | — | — | * | — | — |
| Thlaspi perfoliatum, L. et var. | S | S | * | — | — | |
| Hutchinsia petræa, R. Br. | S | S | * | — | — | |
| Isatis tinctoria, L. var. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| Crambe hispanica, L. | — | M | — | * | — | |
| Capparis spinosa, L. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Reseda attenuata, Ball | S | — | — | * | ||
| „ phyteuma, L. | M | * | — | — | ||
| „ lanceolata, Lag. | M | — | — | * | ||
| Cistus polymorphus, Willd. | M | — | — | * | ||
| Helianthemum niloticum, L. var.? | S | — | — | * | — | |
| „ rubellum, Presl. | — | M | * | — | ||
| „ glaucum, Cav. | — | M | * | — | ||
| „ virgatum, Desf. et var. | M | M | — | — | * | |
| Fumana glutinosa, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ calycina, Claus. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Viola tezensis, Ball | — | S | — | — | — | * |
| Polygala rupestris, Pourr. | M | M | — | * | — | |
| „ Balansæ, Coss. | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| Dianthus attenuatus, Sm. | M S | — | — | * | — | |
| „ virgineus, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Tunica compressa, Desf. | — | M | — | — | * | — |
| „ prolifera, L. | M | M S | * | — | — | — |
| Silene inflata, Sm. var. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ nocturna, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ corrugata, Ball | M | — | — | — | * | |
| „ muscipula, L. | M | * | — | — | ||
| „ italica, L. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| Holosteum umbellatum, L. | S | S | * | — | — | |
| Cerastium glomeratum, Thuill. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ brachypetalum, Desf. | S | S | * | — | — | |
| „ arvense, L. | M S | M S | * | — | — | |
| Stellaria media, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ uliginosa, Murr. | S | — | * | — | — | |
| Arenaria pungens, Clem. et var. | S | S | — | — | * | |
| „ serpyllifolia, L. | S | S | * | — | — | |
| „ procumbens, Vahl. | M | — | * | — | ||
| „ fasciculata, Gouan | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ setacea, Thuill. var. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ verna, L. var. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| Buffonia tenuifolia, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Sagina procumbens, L. var. | S | S | * | — | — | |
| „ Linnæi, Prese. | S | — | * | — | — | |
| Polycarpon tetraphyllum, L. | M | * | — | — | ||
| „ Bivouæ, J. Gay | S | S | * | — | ||
| Montia fontana, L. | S | * | — | — | — | |
| Hypericum perforatum, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ coadunatum, Chr. Sm. var. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Malva sylvestris, L. | M | — | * | — | ||
| „ rotundifolia, L. | M S | — | * | — | — | |
| Linum corymbiferum, Desf. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Fagonia cretica, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Geranium malvæflorum, B. et R. | S | S | — | — | * | — |
| „ pyrenaicum, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ molle, L. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ rotundifolium, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ lucidum, L. | S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| „ robertianum, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Erodium Jacquinianum, F. et M. | M S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ malacoides, L. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| „ guttatum, W. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Oxalis corniculata, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Ruta chalepensis, L. | M S | — | — | * | — | |
| Rhamnus Alaternus, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ lycioides, L. | — | M | — | — | * | |
| Acer monspessulanum, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Pistacia Lentiscus, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| Lotononis maroccana, Ball | M | M | — | — | * | |
| Argyrolobium Linnæanum, Walp. var. | M S | — | — | * | — | |
| „ stipulaceum, Ball | — | M | — | — | — | * |
| Adenocarpus anagyrifolius, Coss. | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| Genista dasycarpa (Coss.) | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ myriantha, Ball | M | — | — | — | * | |
| „ florida, L. var. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Cytisus Balansæ, Boiss. var. | S | S | — | — | * | — |
| „ albidus, D.C. | — | M | — | — | — | * |
| „ Fontanesii, Spach | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Ononis atlantica, Ball | — | M | — | — | — | * |
| „ antiquorum, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Trigonella monspeliaca, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ polycerata, L. et var. | S | M | — | — | * | — |
| Medicago lupulina, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ suffruticosa, Ram. | S | S | — | — | * | — |
| „ turbinata, W. vars. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ denticulata, W. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ minima, Lam. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Melilotus indica, All. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Trifolium atlanticum, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | |
| „ glomeratum, L. var. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ repens, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ humile, Ball | S | * | ||||
| „ tomentosum, L. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Anthyllis Vulneraria, L. et var. | M S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ tetraphylla, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Lotus cytisoides, D. C. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Coronilla pentaphylla, Desf. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| „ ramosissima, Ball | M | — | — | — | * | |
| „ minima, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ scorpioides, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Hippocrepis atlantica, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | |
| „ multisiliquosa, L. var. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Psoralea bituminosa, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Colutea arborescens, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Astragalus sesameus, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ Reinii, Ball | S | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ Glaux, L. var. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ atlanticus, Ball | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ ochroleucus, Coss. | S | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ incurvus, Desf. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Vicia onobrychoides, L. | S | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ glauca, Presl. var. | S | — | — | * | — | |
| „ sativa, L. vars. | M S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Lathyrus aphaca, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ sphæricus, Retz. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Ceratonia siliqua, L. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| Prunus prostrata (Labill.) | S | S | * | — | — | |
| Poterium sanguisorba, L. | M | * | — | — | — | |
| „ verrucosum, Ehrnb. var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ anceps, Ball | S | S | — | — | — | * |
| „ ancistroides, Desf. | M | — | — | * | ||
| Rosa canina, L. var. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| „ Seraphini, Viv. | S | S | — | * | — | — |
| Saxifraga globulifera, Desf. | M S | M S | — | * | — | |
| „ tridactylites, L. | S | * | — | — | — | |
| „ granulata, L. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| Ribes Grossularia, L. | M S | S | * | — | — | |
| Cotyledon umbilicus, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Sedum modestum, Ball | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| „ dasyphyllum, L. var. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ acre, L. | M S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| Sempervivum atlanticum, Ball | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| Monanthes atlantica, Ball | — | S | — | — | — | * |
| Bryonia dioïca, Jacq. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Eryngium Bourgati, Gouan, var. | — | S | — | — | * | — |
| „ variifolium, Coss. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Bupleurum spinosum, L. | S | S | — | * | — | |
| „ acutifolium, Coss. | M | M | — | — | * | — |
| „ oblongifolium, Ball | M | — | — | — | * | |
| „ lateriflorum, Coss. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Deverra scoparia, Coss. et Dur. | — | M | — | — | * | — |
| Carum mauritanicum, B. et R. | M | M | — | — | * | — |
| Pimpinella Tragium, Vill. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Tinguarra sicula, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Scandix pecten Veneris, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Kundmannia sicula, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Meum atlanticum, Coss. | S | — | — | * | ||
| Heracleum Sphondylium, L. | S | * | — | — | ||
| Bifora testiculata, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Caucalis latifolia, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ daucoides, L. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ leptophylla, L. | M S | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ cœrulescens, Boiss. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Elæoselinum meoides, Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Hedera Helix, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Sambucus nigra, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Viburnum Tinus, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Lonicera etrusca, Santi | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Putoria calabrica, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Callipeltis cucullaria, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Rubia tinctorum, L. | S | — | * | — | ||
| „ peregrina, L. et var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Galium Poiretianum, Ball | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ corrudæfolium, Vill. | — | S | — | * | — | — |
| „ sylvestre, Poll. var. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ acuminatum, Ball | M S | — | — | — | * | |
| „ noli-tangere, Ball | — | M | — | — | — | * |
| „ tunetanum, Lam. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ parisiense, L. var. | M S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| „ tricorne, With. | S | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ spurium, L. | M S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ murale, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Asperula aristata, L. var. | M | * | — | — | ||
| „ hirsuta, Desf. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Crucianella angustifolia, L. | M | * | — | — | ||
| Sherardia arvensis, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Centranthus angustifolius, D. C. | M S | — | * | — | ||
| „ calcitrapa, L. | S | S | — | * | ||
| Valerianella discoidea, W. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ auricula, D. C. | M S | M | * | — | — | |
| „ carinata, Loisel. | — | M | * | — | — | |
| Scabiosa stellata, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Pterocephalus depressus, Coss. | M S | M | — | — | — | * |
| Bellis annua, L. var. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ cœrulescens, Coss. | M S | M S | — | — | * | |
| Evax Heldreichii, Parl. | S | * | — | — | ||
| Micropus bombycinus, Lag. | M | M | — | * | — | |
| Filago germanica, L. var. | — | M | * | — | ||
| „ heterantha, Rafin. | S | S | — | * | — | — |
| Filago gallica, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Phagnalon saxatile, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ atlanticum, Ball | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| Gnaphalium luteo-album, L. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| „ helichrysoides, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | |
| Inula montana, L. | M | — | * | |||
| Pulicaria mauritanica, Coss. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Odontospermum aquaticum, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Anacyclus depressus, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | |
| „ valentinus, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Achillea ligustica, All. et var. | M | M | — | * | — | |
| Anthemis tuberculata, Boiss. | — | S | — | * | ||
| „ heterophylla (Coss.). | M | M | — | — | * | |
| Chrysanthemum Gayanum (Coss.) et var. | M S | M S | — | — | * | — |
| „ atlanticum, Ball | S | S | — | — | — | * |
| „ Catananche, Ball | S | S | — | — | — | * |
| Senecio lividus, L. var. | S | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ giganteus, Desf. | M | M | — | — | * | — |
| Calendula maroccana, Ball | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| Echinops spinosus, L. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Xeranthemum modestum, Ball | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| Atractylis cancellata, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ macrophylla, Desf. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Carduus macrocephalus, Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ Ballii, H. fil. | M S | M | — | — | — | * |
| Cnicus echinatus Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ ornatus, Ball | — | M | — | — | — | * |
| „ chrysacanthus, Ball | M | — | — | * | ||
| „ Casabonæ, L. | S | — | — | * | — | — |
| Stæhelina dubia, L. var. | — | M | * | — | — | |
| Centaurea incana, Desf. var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ Salmantica, L. var. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| Carthamus cœruleus, L. var. | M S | — | — | * | — | — |
| Carduncellus lucens, Ball | M S | — | — | — | — | * |
| Catananche cærulea, L. et var. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ cæspitosa, Desf. | — | S | — | * | — | |
| Tolpis umbellata, Bert. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Rhagadiolus stellatus, L. | M | M | — | * | ||
| Crepis taraxacifolia, Thuil. var. | M | * | — | |||
| „ Hookeriana, Ball | — | S | — | — | — | * |
| Phæcasium pulchrum, L. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| Hieracium Pilosella, L. | S | S | * | — | ||
| Hypochæris glabra, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ leontodontoides, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | |
| Leontodon autumnalis, L. var. | S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ Rothii, Ball | M | M | * | — | ||
| „ helminthioides, Coss. | — | M | — | — | * | |
| Taraxacum officinale, Wigg. var. | S | S | — | * | — | — |
| Lactuca viminea, L. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| „ tenerrima, Pourr. | M | M | * | — | ||
| „ saligna, L. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Sonchus oleraceus, L. | — | M | — | * | — | |
| „ asper, Vill. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Microrhynchus nudicaulis, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ spinosus (Forsk.) | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Scorzonera undulata, Vahl. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ pygmæa, S. et S. | S | — | — | * | — | |
| Jasione atlantica, Ball | S | — | — | — | * | — |
| Campanula maroccana, Ball | M | — | — | * | — | |
| „ rapunculus, L. | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ Lœfflingii, Brot. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Specularia falcata (Ten.) | — | M | * | — | — | |
| Trachelium angustifolium, Schousb. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Arbutus Unedo, L. | M | * | — | |||
| Armeria plantaginea (All.)? | S | — | — | — | * | |
| Asterolinum linum-stellatum, L. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| Anagallis linifolia, L. et var. | M S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Jasminium fruticans, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Fraxinus oxyphylla, M. B. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ dimorpha, Coss. et Dur. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Phillyrea media, L. | M | M | — | * | — | |
| Olea europæa, L. | M | M | — | * | — | |
| Nerium Oleander, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| Convolvulus Cantabrica, L. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| „ undulatus, Cav. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ sabatius, Viv. var. | M S | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ siculus, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ althæoides, L. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Hyoscyamus albus, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Anchusa atlantica, Ball | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Lithospermum arvense, L. | S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ incrassatum, Guss. var. | S | M S | — | — | * | |
| „ apulum, Vahl. | M | * | — | — | ||
| Myosotis sylvatica, Hoffm. var. | S | S | — | * | — | — |
| „ hispida, Schlecht. var. | S | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ stricta, Link | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| Cynoglossum Dioscoridis, Vill. et var. | M S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Rochelia stellulata | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Verbascum calycinum, Ball | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Celsia maroccana, Ball | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Linaria ventricosa, Coss. | M | M | — | — | * | |
| Linaria heterophylla, Desf. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ galioides, Ball et var. | S | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ arvensis, L. var. | S | M S | — | * | — | — |
| „ marginata, Desf. | S | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ lurida, Ball | S | — | — | * | ||
| „ Munbyana, Boiss. et Reut. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ Tournefortii (Poir.) | S | S | — | — | * | — |
| „ rubrifolia, Rob. et Cast. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Anarrhinum pedatum, Desf. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ fruticosum, Desf. | — | M | * | — | — | |
| Scrophularia canina, L. var.? | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| Digitalis lutea, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Veronica Beccabunga, L. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ cuneifolia, Don. var. | S | S | — | * | — | — |
| „ arvensis L. et var. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ triphyllos, L. | — | M | * | — | — | |
| „ agrestis, L. | S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ hederifolia, L. et var. | M S | M S | * | — | — | |
| Phelipæa cærulea, Vill. | M | * | — | — | — | |
| Orobanche Hookeriana, Ball | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| „ barbata, Poir. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| Lavandula dentata, L. et var. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ tenuisecta, Coss. | M S | M S | — | — | — | * |
| Mentha rotundifolia, L. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Thymus saturejoides, Coss. et var. | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| Thymus Serpyllum, L. var. | S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ lanceolatus, Desf. var. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ maroccanus, Ball | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| Micromeria microphylla, Benth | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Calamintha graveolens, M. B. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ alpina, L. var. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ atlantica, Ball | M S | M S | — | * | — | |
| Hyssopus officinalis, L. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| Salvia Maurorum, Ball | — | M | — | — | — | * |
| „ clandestina, L. var. | M S | — | * | — | — | |
| Nepeta multibracteata, Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| „ atlantica, Ball | — | M | — | — | * | |
| Sideritis villosa, Coss. | M S | M S | — | — | * | |
| „ scordioides, L. var. | S | * | — | — | — | |
| Lamium amplexicaule, L. | M S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| „ album, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Teucrium granatense, B. et R. var. | — | M | — | — | * | — |
| „ polium, L. vars. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| Ajuga Iva, L. | M S | M S | — | * | — | |
| Globularia Alypum, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Plantago albicans, L. var. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Plantago coronopus, L. var. | M S | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ mauritanica, B. et R. | — | M | — | — | * | |
| Paronychia argentea, Lam. | M S | M S | — | * | — | — |
| „ capitata, Lam. var. | M S | * | — | |||
| „ macrosepala, Boiss. et var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Scleranthus annuus, L. var. | S | * | — | |||
| Polycnemum Fontanesii, Dur. et Moq. | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Rumex scutatus, L. var. | M S | — | * | — | — | |
| „ Papilio, Coss. | M | — | — | — | — | * |
| Polygonum aviculare, L. | * | — | — | — | ||
| Daphne Gnidium, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ Laureola, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Thymelæa virgata, Endl. var. | M | M | — | — | * | — |
| Osyris alba, L. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Aristolochia Pistolochia, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Euphorbia rimarum, Coss. | M | M | — | — | — | * |
| Quercus Ilex, L. et var. | M | M S | — | * | — | — |
| Salix purpurea, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Populus alba, L. var. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ nigra, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Ephedra altissima, Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ procera, F. et M. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Pinus halepensis, Mill. | — | M | — | * | — | — |
| Callitris quadrivalvis, Vent. | M | M | — | — | * | — |
| Juniperus oxycedrus, L. | M | M | * | — | ||
| „ phœnicea, L. et var. | M | * | — | — | ||
| „ thurifera, L. | S | * | — | |||
| Orchis pyramidalis, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ latifolia, L. | S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Ophrys apifera, Huds. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Iris germanica, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Chamærops humilis, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| Gagea foliosa, Schult. | — | S | — | * | — | — |
| Muscari comosum, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| Scilla hispanica, Mill. | S | — | — | * | — | |
| Ornithogalum comosum, L. | S | * | — | — | — | |
| „ tenuifolium Guss. | S | * | — | — | ||
| „ orthophyllum, Ten. | M | * | — | — | ||
| „ pyrenaicum, L. var. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| Allium paniculatum, L. var. | — | M | * | — | — | |
| Asphodelus microcarpus, Viv. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Anthericum Liliago, L. var. | M | * | — | — | ||
| Colchicum Civonæ, Guss. | — | S | — | * | — | |
| „ arenarium W. K. var. ? | S | — | *? | — | — | |
| Smilax mauritanica, Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Asparagus acutifolius, L. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| „ scoparius, Lowe? | M | — | — | — | * | |
| Juncus bufonius, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Scirpus Savii, S. et M. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Carex Halleriana, Asso. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ ambigua, Link. | M | — | — | — | * | — |
| „ fissirostris, Ball | S | M S | — | — | — | * |
| Phalaris nodosa, L. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Piptatherum cœrulescens, Desf. | M S | M | — | * | — | — |
| Stipa parviflora, Desf. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| „ gigantea, Lag.? | M | — | — | * | — | |
| „ nitens, Ball | S | — | — | — | — | * |
| Agrostis verticillata, Vill. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Phragmites communis, Trin. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Echinaria capitata, Desf. | M S | M S | * | — | ||
| Aira caryophyllea, L. | M S | * | — | — | — | |
| Trisetum flavescens, L. | M | * | — | — | — | |
| Avena bromoides, Gouan. var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Arrhenatherum elatius. L. | — | M | * | — | — | — |
| Poa annua, L. | M S | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ bulbosa, L. | M S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| „ pratensis, L. | M S | M S | * | — | — | |
| „ trivialis, L. | M S | — | * | — | — | — |
| Melica ciliata, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| „ Cupani, Guss. var. | M S | M | — | * | — | — |
| Dactylis glomerata, L. vars. | M S | M S | * | — | — | — |
| Cynosurus elegans, Desf. | M S | — | * | — | ||
| Festuca rigida, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ unilateralis, Schrad. var. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| „ geniculata, L., et var. | M | M | — | * | — | |
| „ duriuscula, var. | S | S | * | — | — | — |
| „ arundinacea, Schreb. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| Brachypodium pinnatum, L. var. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ distachyum, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| Bromus tectorum, L. | M S | — | * | — | — | — |
| „ madritensis, L. | M | M | * | — | — | — |
| „ mollis, L. vars. | M S | M | * | — | — | |
| „ macrostachys, Desf. var. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Lolium perenne, L. | M | — | * | — | — | — |
| Triticum hordeaceum, Coss. et Dur. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Secale montanum, Guss. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Elymus Caput-medusæ, L. var. | M | — | * | — | ||
| Hordeum murinum, L. | M | M | * | — | — | |
| Ægilops ovata, L. | M | M | — | * | — | — |
| „ ventricosa, Tausch. | M | — | — | * | — | — |
| Andropogon hirtus, L. var. | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Cistopteris fragilis, Bernh. | S | S | * | — | ||
| Cheilanthes fragrans, L. | M | — | — | * | ||
| Pteris aquilina, L. | S | * | — | |||
| Asplenium trichomanes, L. | M S | — | * | — | ||
| „ viride, L. | S | * | ||||
| „ Adiantum-nigrum, L. | S | * | ||||
| Notochlæna vellea, Desv. | M | — | — | * | ||
| Ceterach officinarum, Willd. | M S | M S | * | — | ||
| Equisetum ramosissimum, Desf. | M | — | * | — | — | |
| Selaginella, rupestris, (Spreng.) | M | — | — | * | — | |
| Total number of species 465 | 388 | 225 | 161 | 168 | 61 | 75 |
Before discussing the inferences to be derived from this list, it may be well to notice some sources of error that, to a slight extent, affect the results. Although the season of our visit—the second half of May—was probably the best as regards the middle zone, it was too early to find the vegetation fully developed in the superior zone, especially on the highest ridges. It is probable that on this account the proportion of Umbelliferæ and Gramineæ found in the higher region is smaller than it would have been at a later season. At first sight it would appear that the shorter time that we were able to devote to an examination of the upper region, and the snow-storm which we encountered in the ascent to the Tagherot Pass, make the proportion of species found there, as shown by our lists, unduly small. There can be no doubt that we must have lost several species owing to these causes, but not enough to vitiate the results to a serious extent. In confirmation of this opinion it may be mentioned that although a native employed by M. Cosson has since made a large collection in the same part of the Great Atlas, and two German naturalists—MM. Rein and Fritsch—have visited the head of the Aït Mesan valley, very few species have been added to the Flora of the higher mountain region.
The first conclusion that strikes a botanist on examining the foregoing list is that the general type of the vegetation clearly marks this as belonging to the great Mediterranean Flora, which extends, with local peculiarities, from Persia and Belutschistan to the Atlantic Islands. Out of 248 genera represented in the Flora of these valleys there is not one which is not common to other portions of the Mediterranean region, and one only (Monanthes) is confined to the Great Atlas and the Canary and Cape de Verde Islands, all the others being types more or less widely spread. Further than this, the proportion borne by each of the prevailing natural orders to the whole vegetable population is pretty nearly the same that we are accustomed to find in the mountain regions of the Mediterranean region.
The materials for a comparison are unfortunately yet incomplete as regards many of the mountain districts which are best fitted for the purpose. The Flora of the Lesser Atlas of Algeria, as well as that of the rest of the French possessions in Africa, will be fully known only on the appearance of the important work promised by M. Cosson. The Flora of Spain by MM. Willkomm and Lange is yet unfinished, and there is the further difficulty that those authors have admitted a large number of plants to the rank of species which many botanists reckon only as varieties. M. Boissier’s great work, the ‘Flora Orientalis,’ is also unfinished, and no adequate materials exist for compiling lists of the plants of the Greek mountains, of those of Asia Minor, or of the Lebanon chain, all of which would afford interesting materials for comparison. In the following table I have taken for comparison the Flora of the Sierra Nevada, with the neighbouring mountains of the ancient kingdom of Granada above the level of about 800 metres, compiled from Boissier’s ‘Voyage botanique dans le Midi de l’Espagne;’ that of the Bulgardagh (the principal group of the Cilician Taurus), from a list published by M. Pierre de Tchihatcheff in the ‘Bulletin of the French Botanical Society;’ that of Dalmatia, from Visiani’s excellent ‘Flora Dalmatica;’ and that of the southern slopes of the chain of the Alps from Nice to the Karst, formed by myself from all available sources.
In the same table I have introduced, for the purpose of further comparison, separate columns for the middle and superior regions of the Great Atlas valleys, and in connection with the last I have added in a separate column the results for the higher zone of the Sierra Nevada. Under each heading I have stated