10520 feet (3207 m) in the Rocky Mountains of Canada from the Kicking Horse River with coniferous forest of spruce Picea Engelmanni (Parry). of North America A Consideration of the Phytogeography by John W. Harshberger, A. B., B. S., Ph. D. Assistant Professor of Botany, University of Pennsylvania; Fellow of the American Map of North America showing the phytogeographic regions, German Extract by O. Drude 1 '41 581.97 Hasp The Phytogeographic Survey of North America. Preface. he conservation movement in America had its origin a number of years ago in the agitation to preserve the forests of the nation from total destruction. During the administration of President ROOSEVELT, the movement was given national significance by a meeting in Washington of the governors of the different states, and other prominent men of affairs, to consider whether something could be done to conserve not only the forests, but other natural resources, as streams, mineral products and agricultural soil. This meeting was followed by several conservation congresses in which matters of national importance were given prominence. One of the results of these gatherings of public-spirited men was an inventory of our natural resources made by the scientific bureaus in Washington, aided by the National Academy of Sciences. As a result of this inventory, we know approximately the extent of our forests, the amount of coal which we have for future use, and the location of the oil and mineral deposits. But with the settlement of the continent and the exploitation of its resources, such as the drainage of its swamps, the removal of the original forests and the construction of irrigation works in arid districts, the original condition of the land surface and its vegetation will be changed forever. It is important, therefore, for this generation of botanists and scientists to leave in printed form, in photographs, in maps and in other illustrations a record of the original appearance of the country before the march of civilization has destroyed primeval conditions. This from the standpoint of the botanist is an important matter, because all future botanic and forestry work must be based on considerations of what was the character of the native growth. Fully recognizing this fact, the writer at the suggestion of the editors of "Die Vegetation der Erde", undertook ten years ago to write a sketch of the Vegetation of North America, and this volume is the outcome of the study of American vegetation, begun over twenty years ago. During this time trips have been made to all the more important phytogeographic regions of North America, excepting the Arctic tundra, and the itinerary of such collecting trips included the Bermudas, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, Mexico, the Pacific coast states, the Rocky Mountains, the prairie 562383 VI Phytogeographic Survey of North America. Preface. plains, the Piedmont, the Atlantic coastal plain, as far, as extreme southern Florida and the Floridan keys, the Dismal Swamp, the White, Green, Adirondack, Catskill, northern and southern Appalachian mountains. With the object of leaving in permanent form a description of the native vegetation of North America, various herbaria in Philadelphia and elsewhere have been consulted and correspondence was begun with botanists in various parts of the continent, interested in a phytogeographic, or a systematic study of the flora. A large collection of books and pamphlets has been made, including articles taken from weekly and monthly magazines, and these have been classified for instant use during the prosecution of a work which the author has spared no pains to make as accurate, as the existing state of information and the unfortunate confusion in nomenclature would permit. Details of synonomy, omitted in the lists and in a discussion of the plant formations, are given in the index, while the more important typographic blunders are given proper place. A collection of photographs, maps and printed illustrations pertinent to American phytogeography has been made during the last few years, and these will be arranged and bound in book form for the future reference of students of American vegetation, when its original state will then be a matter of historic record. The author wishes to thank most cordially the botanists and scientific friends who have aided him in his work. Many of the societies and individuals, who have given assistance, are mentioned in the bibliography, in the text, and in the footnotes of the illustrations and printed pages throughout the book. Especially, he desires to mention the financial aid given in the printing of the book by the American Philosophical Society out of the Michaux Fund, which as a legacy left to the Society by the French botanist, FRANÇOIS ANDRÉ MICHAUX, has done much to advance the study of arboriculture and for the purchase of botanic books for the library begun by BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Finally the author wishes to acknowledge the encouragement and help received from the editors, Professors A. ENGLER and O. DRUDE, and the publishers who have allowed the book to exceed its original limits. He wishes especially to thank Professor Dr. OSCAR DRUDE, who has given much of his time to the revision of the work, while in manuscript and in the press, ably assisted by his daughter Miss HILDEGARD DRUDE (now Mrs. ROBERT HOHLFELD) in the final proof reading of the English text. University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, October 21, 1910. John W. Harshberger. |