86 S. B. PARISH 



region to another, but between two differentiated subdivisions. 

 The differences here are mainly those of altitude, which does not 

 appear to be of primary importance. 



The rocky nature of the substratum, almost destitute of soil 

 of any kind, provides a place for plants whose root systems are 

 altogether different from that of those growing in any of the 

 soils of the basin. But the vegetation is of the same extreme 

 xerophytic type prevalent throughout the whole region. In 

 point of fact there grows here but a single species which is not 

 found elsewhere in these desert mountains. The distinguishing 

 feature is the comparative abundance of the flora. Only in some 

 of the canyons which descend from the San Gorgonio or the San 

 Jacinto Mountains is it more varied and abundant. 



This is most apparent to one who approaches it from the 

 desert. For weary miles he has toiled through a dreary monot- 

 ony of unattractive low shrubs, isolated by wide bare spaces. 

 At Coyote Wells he has found a patch of salt grass, and a few 

 wretched mesquites. Beyond lay a still more naked waste of 

 sand. To one thus coming the canyon vegetation appears not- 

 ably varied and pleasing. 



It is a matter of regret to the writer that he was not able to 

 devote more time to the study of this interesting canyon. It 

 deserves days, rather than the hours he was able to give to it. 

 While the conditions produce a crowding together and com- 

 mingling of the various plants, a careful study would enable one 

 to define their several topographical limits. In the absence of 

 this only a partial account can be offered. 



The plants which most attract attention by reason of their 

 size are Fouquiera splendens, Yucca mohavensis and a species of 

 Nolina, the flowers and fruit of which have never been collected 

 at this place, but which has been referred on foliar characters 

 to N. Bigelovii Wats. The species was founded by Torrey 

 (as Dasylirio?i Bigelovii) on a specimen from Bill Williams River, 

 Arizona, and according to Trelease it has also been collected 

 in Cantillas Canyon, in adjacent Lower California. 3 In Cali- 



3 Torrey, Pac. R. Rept. iv, pt. 5, p. 151. Watson, Proc. Amer. Acad, xiv, p. 

 247. Trelease, Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. L, p. 423. 



