The remaining chapters are dedicated to the flora and fauna of the National Park. The following vegetation and animal communities are described: vascular plants and vegetation communities (K. J. ROBINSON et al.), fishes of the shallow littoral zone (J. K. LESLIE and C. A. TIMMINS), ground beetles (K. WELSTEAD and T. D. NUDDS), spiders, flies and other arthropods (S. A. MARSHALL et al.), birds (D. P. TATE), amphibians and reptiles (D. G. BRITTON and K. A. PRIOR), and mammals (D. N. POTTER). Some of these chapters have the character of interim reports on ongoing surveys with detailed species lists. The concept of using the nearly undisturbed natural area of the Fathom National Park as ecological baseline (H. A. HAGER and T. D. NUDDS) provides the possibility of evaluating the extent of change in adjacent areas of similar sizes. The contribution of D. W. LARSON dealing with the ecology of the cliffs is remarkable for its evocative, persuasive and enlightening use of personal tone. The extraordinary longevity of trees, namely Thuja occidentalis, up to 1890 years old, is evidence of the existence of one of the most stable and ancient forests in the world growing in a cliff position. The last chapter deals with diving