COLLECTING INSECTS ON MOUNT RAINIER. 



By A. L. Melandek, 

 Professor of Entomology, the State College of Washington. 



[With 9 plates.] 



Monarch of mountains is Rainier. But a few hours ride by train 

 or auto southeastward from Tacoma, this massive peak rises to a 

 height of 14,400 feet. Other mountains may be higher but none is 

 as stupendous as the ice-covered dome of Rainier, pushing heaven- 

 ward almost from sea level. The Indians revered the mountain 

 as their god. Their white successors have created a national park 

 about it, and modern roads and ways of conveyance now place the 

 gardens of Paradise within easy access of all. 



To the naturalist the broad slopes of the mountain are replete 

 with more than ordinary interest. In a couple of hours it is possible 

 to ascend through life zones almost duplicating those requiring a 

 journey of thousands of miles to the north to explore. The dense 

 tall forests at the foot of the mountain give way to open woods of 

 stunted trees as the higher altitudes are reached, and these in turn 

 to alpine grassy meadows, to gorgeous flower gardens, then to barren 

 stone fields and to perpetual snow and ice. 



As the vegetation changes at successive elevations, so different in- 

 sect forms are encountered. The wealth of unusual species and often 

 the abundance of individuals of bizarre forms make insect collecting 

 on the slopes of Rainier a most exciting experience for the ento- 

 mologist. The vastness of the mountain, bespeaking a great circum- 

 ference to the various encircling life zones, has permitted extensive 

 breeding grounds and lessened the chance of extinction of stranded 

 forms left on its slopes at the conclusion of the great ice age. Thus it 

 is that Rainier, more than any other mountain in the United States, 

 shows an unusual number of species the counterparts of which live 

 far to the north. 



One of the main advantages of Rainier is its accessibility to the 

 tourist. Most visitors enter the national park at the southwest or 

 Nisqually entrance, coming over the roads from Tacoma. Those 

 bringing camp outfits are permitted to tent at certain designated sta- 



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