THE NORTH TEMPERATE ZONE 



119 



range in Glacier Park is a very heavy one, and composed of a 

 remarkable variety of conifers, which attain a much greater size 

 than those of the eastern slope. 



The most abundant tree is the western larch (Larix occidentalis) , 

 a graceful tree, sometimes exceeding 150 feet in height. This tree is 

 deciduous, like its relative the 

 eastern tamarack. With this 

 are the Douglas fir and Engel- 

 mann spruce, and at higher 

 elevations the alpine fir. Be- 

 sides these, however, are spe- 

 cies belonging to the humid 

 Pacific coast forest, the grand 

 fir (Abies grandis), giant arbor- 

 vitae (Thuja plicata), and 

 western hemlock. The west- 

 ern yew (Taxus brevi folia) is 

 common, but does not be- 

 come a tree. For the number 

 of species of conifers growing 

 together, this forest has few 

 if any equals. 



The peaty soil supports an 

 interesting assemblage of bo- 

 real shade-loving plants. The 

 twin-flower (Linnaea) forms 

 extensive carpets in places, 

 and the Indian-pipe (Mono- 

 tropa uniflora) lifts its clus- 

 ters of dead-white stems and 

 flowers from the dank mould. 

 Pipsissewa (Chimaphila), and several species of Pyrola; the 

 dwarf Cornel, and several orchids, e. g., coral-root (Corallorrhiza), 

 rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera); Clintonia uniflora, Bcrbcris 

 repens, Aralia nudicaulis. 



Where the shade is less dense, as along the banks of the small 

 streams, and in clearings, a number of characteristic species are 

 noted. Elder, cow-parsnip (Heracleum), and maples make fine 

 masses of foliage in the low ground, and with these are associated 



Fig. 29. — Forest interior, giant arbor- 

 vitae; Lake McDonald, Glacier Na- 

 tional Park. 



