VoL. 111. | Botany of Mariposa. 315 
This tract is pierced by two deep valleys,—the Yosemite and 
Wawona Valleys, occupied respectively by the main Merced River 
and the South Fork. The vegetation of these valleys, the floor of 
which lies from 2,000 to 4,000 feet below the subalpine region proper, 
consequently includes a larger proportion of plants which belong 
lower down; but these lower levels are too narrow, and the cliffs 
that border them and furnish the life-giving supplies of water are - 
so lofty and so tull of subalpine vegetation themselves, that they 
furnish the great majority of the species and control the general 
character of the vegetation. Hence, in these articles, these great 
valleys will be considered in connection with the great plateaus 
through which they cut their deep and narrow channels. 
The trees of this region include all or nearly all of those belonging 
to the coniferous belt. Mingled with these are tound the splendid 
red fir of the Sierras (Aézes magnifica Murr.); the Jeffrey or black 
pine (Pinus Jeffreyi Murr.); and the tamarack pine (Pius murray- 
ana, Murr., P..contorta var. Bot. Cal.) In the upper part of this 
region the mountain white pine (Pznus monticola Dougl.) and the 
mountain spruce (7suga Pattoniana Engelm.) become common, 
while in the Big Tree Grove, south of the South Fork, the huge 
Sequoias (.S. gigantea Decaisne) occupy a limited space, fortu- 
nately preserved from the spoliation of the lumbermen. 
The less heavy and continuous forest, the more open country,and 
the greater variety of soil and exposure,combine to produce a much 
more abundant and varied vegetation, while the neighborhood of 
the loftier summits and the abundance of water prevent the excessive 
heat and horrible dryness which, in the foothills, makes life in the 
summer a burden and outdoor activity during the greater part of 
the day terribly exhausting and often positively dangerous. 
These circumstances tend to make this whole region the most de- 
lightful and healthful summer resort in our State. While the stu- 
pendous scenery and the pleasant climate of the Yosemite are a 
perpetual feast to the lingering as well as the transient visitor, the 
other portions of this region, though they may not boast such grand 
scenery, yet have compensating advantages which make them even 
more attractive to the seekers for health and rest who desire to 
make a longer and more leisurely stay than the ordinary tourist. 
- For such of these who prefer or are compelled to limit themselves to 
a 
