THE EED DESERT OF WYOMING AND ITS FOEAGE 



EESOUEGES. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The region known as the Eed Desert lies in southern Wyoming. 

 Our knowledge of the phxnts of this region has heretofore been very 

 imperfect, due chietiy to the difllieulty and hardships involved in con- 

 ducting investigations during the summer months. As the Union 

 Pacific Eailroad traverses the entire region from east to west, informa- 

 tiou concerning its vegetation has, of course, been accumulating, but 

 previous to the present season (1897) no systematic survey of its 

 resources has ever been attempted. 



There is little in view from the car windows to invite closer inspection 

 or more personal contact. From the I'latte River to the Green River, 

 a distance of 150 miles, there is not within sight of the railroad any 

 vegetation larger than sage-brush and grease-wood, and through much 

 of the distance these also seem dwarfed and scattering. Bright green 

 hues are extremely rare. With the exception of the fringes on the 

 banks of the few little creeks and the occasional bogs, the vegetation 

 is marked by colors which blend closely with those of the ground, the 

 dull grayish greens and grays varying to silvery wh ite. To this absence 

 of bright coloring in vegetation, is largely due the singularly barren 

 appearance of the whole region, and no doubt its reputed desert-like 

 condition is traceable to the same cause. Portions of the region are 

 deserted during a part of the year, but it is far from being a desert if 

 by that term is meant "bare of vegetation." This is attested by the 

 fact that great herds of cattle and flocks of sheep are profitably 

 wintered there year after year. 



The conditions surrounding the Red Desert made it evident that the 

 region was an interesting field for investigation either from an economic 

 or a botanical standpoint. In order to gain an adequate idea of its 

 vegetation,it was deemed necessary to make at least three incursions 

 into the heart of the region for the spring, summer, and autumn floras, 

 respectively. In pursuance of this plan, the first trip was made under 

 the direction and in the interest of the experiment station of the Uni- 

 versity of Wyoming. The two later expeditions were made under a 

 commission from the Secretary of Agriculture through the chief of the 



Division of Agrostology. 



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