VOL. III.] A T?-ip through Southeastern Utah. 357 



sandy bottom, and the Gilia was most abundant and very lovely. 

 In washes, Encelia nutans was frequent. Its large headisfuU of good 

 sense as well as many flowers. When the flowers expand, the head 

 is erect, so that the sun can have its full effect; but when the seeds 

 are nearly ripe, it begins to nod and droops lower and lower until it 

 finally touches the ground and the seeds scramble out so that they 

 may travel far away from their big-rooted mother on the first rush 

 of water that comes down the hills from the heavy rains that some- 

 times fall. They thus secure a congenial home in a branch wash and 

 •do not have to starve on their greedy mother's leavings. 



Through the canon, which we entered in the afternoon, new and 

 attractive plants began to appear. Here and there Penstemon Eatoni 

 lifted its showy stems, covered with scarlet drooping trumpets, de- 

 manding admiration. Malvastriim leptophyllum, with slender, wand- 

 like blossoming stems, was a fine study in harmony of color, 

 the brick red of its flowers toned down by the silvery green of the 

 foliage. Aster venustus here has smaller flowers than at Grand 

 Junction, and with violet rays instead of white. Amelanchier alni- 

 folia exhibited a new form, more slender and less leafy than the 

 common one, with i&w flowers, and the leaves glossy on the 

 upper surface. Some plants of Rhus aromatica were seen, with en- 

 tire coarsely crenate leaves- Fraxinus anonmla and Qtiercus 

 Emory i{f) sometimes formed thickets. Pinons and cedars grew along 

 the hills, and bunches of rosaceous shrubs, such as Purshia and 

 Cowania were occasionally observed. Cacti were rare, and but one, 

 an Opuntia, with long, slender white spines, probably a form of 

 O. Missouriensis was collected or even noted. 



Near the Grand River, the space between the cafion walls became 

 wider. It was a sandy bottom, and the wind blew the sharp little 

 bits of quartz and feldspar into our faces in a -disagreeable manner. 

 Twilight was impending, but there was still sufficient light to indi- 

 cate that a flora more peculiar than any seen yet, existed here. In 

 spite of the raging river that must be crossed we resolved to return 

 to this spot in daylight and explore more fully. Mentzelia multi- 

 Jiora was the plant most conspicuous in the waning light, and the 

 star-like blossoms opening at our feet seemed to be trying to illu- 

 mine the way. 



The next day's search was cut short by one of those rainstorms 



