Shrubs of Southwest Colorado. 103 
microphylius, which looks like a small-flowered, diffusely-branched 
Fendlera, is found upon rocky hills and abrupt cafion sides. 
: Along the river bottoms, though the shrubbery is dense, the 
flowers are generally dull in color and small. Cvategus coccinea, 
however, rivals any of the hillside plants. Its lovely corymbs of 
white flowers with red stamens are very fragrant, and the brilliant 
scarlet berries that succeed them are set off to perfection by the 
shining leaves. Alders and willows are abundant. I noticed four 
kinds of willows—Sa/ix lasiandra, S. longifolia, S. cordata and S. 
cordata var. Mackenziana. Occasionally clumps of Rhamnus Cal- 
ifornica are met with. An ordinary observer would pass them by 
if they were not in fruit. Some years they are very prolific, the 
purple berries compensating by their beauty for the dullness of the 
flowers. I have examined berries on every bush as | passed, and 
have found none with three seeds, though they are described as two 
or three-seeded. Rhus aromatica is found everywhere and is com- 
mon to both the eastern and western slopes of the Rockies. But of 
all the river shrubs there are none to compare with the Buffalo berry 
(.Shepherdia argentea). Far in the distance it can be discerned with 
its silvery leaves shimmering on the swaying branches. It blooms 
in early spring, but does not owe any charm to the beauty of its 
flowers. In fruit it is gorgeous. The bright red or yellow berries 
surround the stem and form a vivid contrast with the pale green fo- 
liage. In early days, before fruit- raising was an assured success 
through this region, the buffalo berries were a great luxury to the 
pioneers. Even now, with an abundance of strawberries, blackber- 
ries, raspberries and currants, they are prized by the housewives 
for jelly and wine. 
Among other wild fruits common in the section the choke-cherry 
( Prunus demissa) and the currant ( Ribes aureum) are most widely 
distributed. 
In the high mountains the shrubs are neither peculiar to the re- 
gion nor so noticeable as the trees and herbs, but among those 
found near the base of the foothills are some that are uncommon or 
wanting in other sections. Berderis Fendleri is most conspicuous 
and most beautiful. Its upright stems seem to be in bloom all at 
once, and the clusters of yellow flowers extend from near the ground 
to the very top without any interruption. It is a golden wand cov- 
ered with tiny bells that send forth faint music with every breath of 
