LAUREL FAMILY. 349 
slightly bitter. Specimens were shown to but a few individuals. Both 
the wood and the bark from fresh shoots are used in basket work, and 
the pithy shoots used to be particularly valued by the Yokia Indians 
for making arrows, the preference being rated by one individual in 
the ratio of about twenty to one against all other material. 
LAURACEAE. Laurel Family. 
Umbellularia californica (Arnott) Nutt. 
Polen ol (Yuki). The California laurel dig. 73), the most char- 
acteristic and beautiful, and at the same time economically interesting 
tree of the region. It is an evergreen, pyramidal tree, LO to 100. feet 
Fic. 73.—Laurel ( Cibelfitaria californica, 
in height, and grows in canyons and damp woods, and sparingly on 
high rocky knolls where vertical strata permit the tree to send its 
roots into the ground for water to a @reat depth. Tt is most highly 
characterized by the pungent quality of its leaves. These contain 
about 7} per cent of a volatile oi! which has an effect upon the tongue 
and skin somewhat like that of camphorand menthol, The odor from 
the freshly crushed leaves may provoke headache and bring tears to the 
eyes, but when this is largely diluted with air it ts more or less agree- 
abie and soothing in its effect. ATL parts of the tree, including the 
wood, contain aromatic or fixed oils, the characteristic effect of which 
