A Comparison Between Two Mountain Sides. 13.S 



Phacdia hetcrophyUa and an abundance of Scro phularia montana. 

 Such an occurrence would be next to impossible in a similar 

 situation on the west side. 



5. The underbrush {Ceanothus fendleri) is larger and more 

 abundant. 



6. The common brake {Pteridium aquilinum pubescens) 

 is larger and prevalent under both pine forest and oak brush. 



7. Herbaceous perennials are more abundant in species 

 as well as individuals. Generally speaking they are larger in 

 size, of more stout and luxuriant development in root, stem, 

 and general form, the leaves are larger, broader, and more num- 

 erous, the bloom more profuse, and the fruiting more prolific. 



8. Succulents and bulbous plants, such as Sedum, Achro- 

 anthes montana, and Commelina dianthifolia, are plants of the 

 shallowest w^est side soil, and have little place here. To the 

 same class belongs Yucca macrocarpa, a xerophyte of the most 

 open west side slopes, rarely present on the east. 



9. Annuals of the ephemeral type are practically absent. 



10. The growing season is prolonged. This is evidenced 

 both in later retention of green leaves, and the lengthening of 

 the flowering season in perennials. Though this was not dis- 

 tinctly observed, it is probable that also the fruiting season is 

 prolonged. vSiniilarly, the pines retain their leaves longer. 



1 1 . The brake gives evidence of a distinct secondary 

 growing season. 



Adding only a few details by way of proof, it was observed 

 that on October 5th many pine trees were still green, or yellow- 

 green, while on the west side the forest was quite brown. The 

 difference in time of leaf fall was estimated at a week or ten 

 days. The brake, at the same date, was still to a large extent 

 rusty green on the east side, but very brown and dead on the 

 west. Commonly one or two feet tall on the west, it is usually 

 two or three feet tall on the east side, and was seen to reach five 

 feet at INIiller's cabin (Spud Ranch). Here numerous young 

 shoots begin to appear above the soil in September, and freshly 

 developed full grown plants were seen in certain spots of rich 

 soil in October. Very little or practically no new growth was 

 seen on the west side. 



What is the cause of these differences? No complete ans- 

 wer can be attempted at this time. To begin by elimination, it 



