. Biology in America. Biology. 160 Biology in America So too the deathbed of a lake is the birthplace of a new cormminity of plants. In the sliallow margins of the lake rises a niiniatnre forest of cat-tail, rnsh and sedge. With the gradual shrinkage of the lake through evaporation or drain- age, and the slow accumulation of wind-borne dust and debris on its bottom, runners of rush and sedge press further from the shore. Their decaying stems and leaves, together with wdnd-borne sediments form ever-increasing mud in the shal- low water, which with the recession of the lake forms a fer- tile fie
. Biology in America. Biology. 160 Biology in America So too the deathbed of a lake is the birthplace of a new cormminity of plants. In the sliallow margins of the lake rises a niiniatnre forest of cat-tail, rnsh and sedge. With the gradual shrinkage of the lake through evaporation or drain- age, and the slow accumulation of wind-borne dust and debris on its bottom, runners of rush and sedge press further from the shore. Their decaying stems and leaves, together with wdnd-borne sediments form ever-increasing mud in the shal- low water, which with the recession of the lake forms a fer- tile field for the advancing grasses along its shores. And thus a meadow is formed into which soon come the moisture-. A Glacial Pond in the Eocky Mountains Showing the encroaching forest. Original. loving herbs, and then from near or far wind-driven catkins come and willows grow from these, the vanguard of the for- est ; which soon are joined by other trees, of various sorts, dependent on proximity and ease of carriage of their seeds; and thus a young forest takes its stand upon the old lake bottom and meadow herb and grass give place to trees and plants which love the dark—the victors in the "struggle for ; Where however forests are far away or soil and climate are not adapted to growth of trees, the grasses per- sist and a meadow marks the graveyard of the lake. The inter-relationships of the various members of plant communities, both to one another and to their environment,. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Young, R. T. (Robert Thompson), b. 1874. Boston, R. G. Badger
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