3. Beyond this the dwarf and stunted forests consist only of Birch. Its short thick stem, and stiff, widely spreading, knotty branches, seem prepared to resist the strong winds from the alps. Its lively light green hue is delightful to the eye, but evinces a weakness of vegetation. These Birch forests soon become so low, that they may be entirely commanded from the smallest eminence. Their uppermost boundary, where the tallest of the trees are not equal to the height of a man, is 2000 feet below the line of perpetual snow. This zone is therefore much wider than the preceding. Long before its termination _Alnus incana_, _Prunus Padus_, and _Populus tremula_, were no more to be seen. A little before the Birch ceases, we miss the _Sorbus Aucuparia_ (_Pyrus Aucuparia_, Fl. Brit.) which for some time had not presented us with any fruit; the _Rubus arcticus_ already likewise barren; _Erica vulgaris_, _Aconitum lycoctonum_, &c. Where the Birch forest becomes thinner, the reflection of the heat from the sides of the mountains is the strongest. Here in many spots we find the vegetation of _Sonchus alpinus_, _Struthiopteris_, and _Aconitum lycoctonum_ remarkably luxuriant. The drier spots now become covered with _Lichen rangiferinus_. _Tussilago frigida_ and _Pedicularis Sceptrum-Carolinum_ have their place to the utmost boundary of the Birch. Thus far only Charr (_Salmo alpinus_) is found in the lakes, and higher up all fishing ceases. 4. All mountains above this limit are called _Fjäll_ (Alps). Near rivulets and on the margins of bogs only, is found a little brush-wood, consisting of _Salix glauca_, whose grey hue affords but little ornament to the landscape. The lower country is covered with the dark-looking _Betula nana_, which still retains its upright posture. A few Juniper bushes, and some plants of _Salix hastata_, are found scattered about. Every hill is covered with _Arbutus alpina_, variegated with _Andromeda cærulea_ and _Trientalis europæa_. The more boggy ground is decorated with _Andromeda polifolia_ in its greatest beauty, and _Pedicularis lapponica_. On the sides of the mountains, where the reflected heat has the greatest power, grow _Veronica alpina_, _Viola biflora_, _Pteris crispa_, and _Angelica Archangelica_. This zone extends within 1400 feet of the line of perpetual snow. The Glutton (_Mustela Gulo_) goes no higher than this. The berries of _Rubus Chamæmorus_ still ripen here, but not at a greater degree of elevation.