vol.. III.] Botany of Mariposa. 



j'i) 



This tract is pierced by two deep valleys, — the Vosemite and 

 Wavvona Valleys, occupied respectively by the main Merced River 

 and the South Fork. The v^egetation ot^ 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 lull 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 lound the splendid 

 red fir of the Sierras {Abies maguijica Murr.); the Jeffrey or black 

 pine (^Pinus Jeffreyi Murr.); and the tamarack pine {Pinus mnrray- 

 ana, Murr., P. contorta var. Bot. Cal.) In the uoper part of this 

 region the mountain white pine {Piiuis monticola Dougl.) and the 

 mountain spruce {Tsuga 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 loftirr 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 01 dinary tourist. 

 For such ofthe.se who prefer or are compelled to limit themselves to 



