14 ERYTHEA. 



2,200 feet elevations, but even there they were lavishly mixed with 

 the pure white varieties. It is true, though, that towards their 

 highest zone of occurrence, about 4,500 feet, the washed colors of 

 pink and white were more general, and by far less clear in tlieir 

 markings on the outer side of the cups, than they were at lower 

 altitudes. 



The yellow Mariposa Lily, Calochortus luteus Dougl, is the most 

 glorious of all those in the Sierras. Its deep golden color is often 

 marked with a rich brown spotting and finer penciling. It resem- 

 bles in all respects the C. venustus, in size as well as shape. But 

 while it commences to appear at about 500 feet elevation, it was 

 found by me at no higher altitude than 1,800 feet. At this point 

 it was where I came across hybrids between the two species, which 

 were paler in their yellow, and rather less pronounced in their mark- 

 ing as the purplish shades of the C. venustus caused a brownish 

 bronze coloring which washed the petals on their entire outer 

 surface. 



Both of these species grow on hillsides as well as level, so-called 

 meadows. It should be remembered, however, that Californi:; 

 meadows at such altitudes, viz., 500 to 2,000 feet, resemble a 

 parched brick-yard at the middle of June, when the flowering is at 

 its best. While snow falls as low down as 2,000 feet elevation, it 

 never remains longer on the ground than a day or two. The rains 

 do not set in until the middle of November, and cease entirely by 

 the first week in May. It follows, therefore, that we must select 

 spots sheltered during winter and yet exposed to all the heat of 

 summer, and that we must avoid every form of irrigation near our 

 Calochorti. 



Of true Mariposa Lilies the third is Calochortus Leichtlinii Baker. 

 It most resembles the C. venustus, yet is far darker in its white, and 

 is bronze-colored on the outside of the petals. It is at home in the 

 higher regions, beginning where C. venustus ceases to occur, and 

 yet growing at the summit, 8,000 feet high. At the latter region 

 it is barely higher than four to five inches, and as tall as 12 inches 

 at 5,000 feet altitude. It seems to prefer rocky slopes, growing in 

 decomposed lava, and then only in open spaces. 



"SNOWDROPS AND CAT's-EARS." 



Of the Calochorti with nodding heads and bearing from two to 



