In parts of the Sahara visited where the most rain is reported,
especially Laghouat and Biskra, plants were observed to exhibit
exposure preference. Here the south or southerly facing slopes may
have a floral composition different from the opposite exposure. In
each instance the soil conditions, and apparently the moisture
conditions also, were alike. Exposure preference was not noticed in
the southern portions of the colony. Another temperature relation
was observed, namely, the renewal of growth in the autumn. This
is probably direct effect, although the point is not certain. In
Ghardaia it was seen that many of the perennials were taking on
new growth and coming into flower, although no rain had fallen for
12 months. Analogous conditions, with a significant difference,
occur each year in the Tucson region. Here with the change from
a cooler to a warmer temperature, as from winter to spring, or
from spring to summer, fairly independent of the rainfall, many
perennials organize flowers or shoots. But, so far as is known,
no species renews its vegetative activities with the coming of
winter, or with a decreased temperature and also _independent_
of the rains, although there are characteristic winter and summer
plants. Judging from analogy, therefore, it would appear that
the stimulus to development on the part of the M’Zabite plants
may be from the relatively better water relations made possible
by a lower temperature without rain. In November at Ghardaia the
evaporation rate is much below that of summer, that during the
night being very small. Further, it was told me by good authority
that the same species seen growing in autumn renew growth whenever
rain chances to come, whatever might be the season. But it should be
remembered that rain most commonly occurs in this region in winter,
so that the plants may have a rhythm to which they usually conform,
but from which they may depart, and that both stimuli (better water
relations and lower temperature) are the annually recurring factors
by which it may have been induced. Reference, of course, is made to
perennials only, as no annuals were seen until the rains of spring
made conditions favorable for their appearance.
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