File:Contributions from the Botanical Laboratory, vol. 9 (1892) (20678747612).jpg

Title: Contributions from the Botanical Laboratory, vol. 9
Identifier: contributionsfro09univ (find matches)
Year: 1892 (1890s)
Authors: University of Pennsylvania. Botanical Laboratory
Subjects: Botany; Botany
Publisher: Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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374 Vegetation of some Southern Provinces of Soviet Russia strictly on the road, as the title of this paper suggests, an account of the plant life would be considerably less extensive than that given here, since the road, for a large part of its length from Vladicavcas to the divide, follows close to the base of high rocky cliffs which are all but devoid of vegetation. Side excursions are therefore necessary if one is to obtain a true impression of the flora of the North Caucasus. The Gvileti and Kasbek valleys offer the best opportunity for such trips. At least a day should be allowed for each, and the entire journey from Vladicavcas to Kasbek can be made more than once to advantage. The journey here described extends from Vladicavcas to the divide, which is the North Caucasus part of the route. It is well first to make the trip hurriedly, which we can do with the aid of the map (Fig. 2), in order to orient one's self in regard to the major floristic features of the road. The Georgian Military Way, from north to south, first traverses the Vladicavcas plain, following the river Terek for 14 km. to Balta (Fig. 2). Here the foot hills rise and the first forests are met with. The wooded mountain slopes continue for some 8 km. when they are replaced by treeless hills which mount to great heights and form excellent pastures. Another 8 km. brings us to Old Lars (the places named along the Way consist of nothing more than a few huts). Here a second forest zone begins which continues several kilo- metres beyond new Lars to the entrance of the Daryal Canyon. The 5 km. which constitute the Canyon proper are practically devoid of vegetation except for an occasional pine on a precipitous cliff many metres overhead. The rocky walls rise almost perpendicularly to tremendous heights. The Canyon is most impressive. Once out of the Canyon one comes again to treeless areas which continue to the divide. Shortly after one emerges from the Canyon, the Gvileti valley branches off to the west extending to the glaciers of Mount Kasbek. Barely 8 km. beyond Gvileti lies the village of Kasbek, its small valley also leading westward to Mount Kasbek. Both the Gvileti and Kasbek valleys rise to subalpine pastures where flowers are profuse. To reach alpine meadows requires arduous climbing. Returning to the main road, we travel another 22 km. to the divide and here reach the maximum altitude of the Way, 2345 m. (7692 ft.). 149 km. more, down through country parched in August, brings us to Tiflis. Recapitulating in tabulated form we have: Zone Name I Vladicavcas Steppe II Lower Forest (deciduous) III Herbaceous Slopes IV Upper Forest (mixed) V Daryal Canyon VI Transition VII Subalpine VIII Alpine Altitude Length in m. in km. 679 820 960 1100 1300 1500 1700 14 8 8 6 5 8 22 2200 (along the Way) Type plants Salix, Hippophae Fagus, Quercus, Ulmus Poa, Festuca Pinus, Crataegus Pinus, Juniperus, Saxifraga Populus, Phragmites, Spiraea Scabiosa, Cephalaria — Betula, Rhododendron THE 6£0R6IAn MILITARYROAD FROM VLADIKAVKAS TO THE DIVIDE . Ktlomcdtrs CorvvenJtwruxLSigTis: ^^^S. Steppe. f-W-v/.y/zi OrcLss jQtnd. o 2)ecidic0US Jnees. CltAXiJbuonsarcui meixrsaBcve iJiJtJSCaxKSccu,
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It is my aim to describe the plant life of the eight zones which we have just hurriedly traversed, as it exists in late August. Though this description Fig. 2. Map of the northern half of the Georgian MiUtary Way.

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