354 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Among other lovers of moist localities are the Aralia, or wild 

 sarsaparilla (the long, aromatic roots of which are sometimes 

 used as a substitute for the genuine commercial article), and the 

 poisonous Cicuta, or water hemlock, a member of the parsley- 

 family, easily distinguished by its lofty, hollow stem, large tri- 

 pennate leaves, and umbels of numerous rays of small white 

 flowers. On the borders of Lake Tahoe flourish the beautiful 

 pond lilies, prized by boat-riders as trophies of summer excur- 

 sions ; the white Brasenias, or "water shields"; and the sulphur- 

 yellow Niqjhars, or " spatterdocks," the large flat leaves of which 

 are the favorite camping ground for small green frogs. Most of 

 the forest underbrush is composed of the manzanita, or " little 

 apple" [Ardostapliylos), sometimes known as the "bear-berry," 

 as Bruin feasts on the fruits. This shrub averages about five 

 feet in height and has round, thick leaves and tiny white or 

 rose-colored blossoms which ripen in early autumn into dull- red, 

 globular berries, resembling Indian beads. The smooth, mahog- 

 any-hued bark peels annually, like that of the madrone ; and the 

 larger boughs furnish a hard cabinet wood capable of a fine polish. 



Other flowering shrubs include the heathlike bryanthus ; the 

 Audiberta, or white sage ; the rabbit brush, and the Oregon grape 

 or holly-leaved barberry (Berberis), a low bush with prickly, pol- 

 ished foliage and racemes of yellow flowers, succeeded by round 

 blue berries much like those of the elder. In great patches under 

 the pines grow the Chamobafia (a little evergreen plant about a 

 foot in height with blossoms like those of the strawberry), and 

 the trailing Vaccinium, or "squaw's carpet," recognized by its 

 small, serrated leaves, and round, pale-pink bells, or hard, reddish 

 seed vessels. The Alpine phlox clings to the rocks in high alti- 

 tudes, together with the arctic willow and dwarf conifers, while 

 the juniper redeems barren, sandy sections from utter desolation. 



Two pretty little wood plants, nestling in the dry leaves under 

 the trees, are the Fyrola, or " shin-leaf," and the pipsissewa, or 

 "prince's pine" {Chiniaphila) , the former having radical varie- 

 gated leaves and nodding white flowers, suggesting those of the 

 lily of the valley, and the latter being known by its shining ever- 

 green foliage and terminal clusters of waxy, flesh-tinted blossoms 

 of delicate fragrance. 



Near by usually grow the quaint little " Dutchman's breeches," 

 with their fine compound leaves and drooping, pink corollas, as 

 well as the Asarum, or wild ginger, so called on account of the 

 rootstock, which has a pungent flavor. This is an odd-looking 

 herb, with several heart-shaped leaves, and a curious, brownish- 

 purple flower, about the size of a large thimble, which makes its 

 appearance just above the surface of the ground, and has no 

 petals, but a three-parted calyx. 



