284 ALLAN HANCOCK PACIFIC EXPEDITIONS VOL. 13 



locations along the ridges and the breaks of the high bluffs. It is very 

 different from the taller, rounded, and more erect shrub form of the 

 species growing along the eastern bluffs. 



The eastern breaks are much less abrupt than those on the other 

 exposures of the island. These breaks extend along the outer face of 

 the wide ridges separating the small canyons and extend down to the 

 splash zone. All the plants of the Coreopsis association are to be found 

 here, with other species coming in where the Coreopsis thins out on the 

 lower part of the breaks. These additional plants include the tall form 

 of Heinizonia mentioned in the last paragraph, Pterostegia drymarioides, 

 Trifolium tridentatum, Silene gallica, Plantago insularis, Calandrinia 

 maritima, and Achillea millefolium lanulosa. Nevertheless this area 

 can only be considered as a facies of the Coreopsis association, for 

 Coreopsis gigantea is the one example of constancy throughout the area. 



Talus. Talus slopes on the Channel Islands frequently display an 

 exceedingly rich variety of plant life, and the southern and southeastern 

 slopes of Santa Barbara are an instance. The varying texture and depth 

 of soil seem to favor this. The southern slopes are perhaps the driest 

 and warmest slopes of the island and are moderately windy, especially 

 during storm periods. Because they are well protected by their lee 

 position in relation to the prevailing winds, only an occasional south- 

 western storm brings wind of high velocity. The more numerous plants 

 occuring here are: Echeveria Greenei, Eriophyllum, Nevinii, Eriogonum. 

 giganteum compactum. Coreopsis gigantea, Opuntia prolifera, Mirabilis 

 laevis, Lycium calif ornicum, Muhlenbergia microsperma, Perityle Emor- 

 yi, and Amblyopappus pusillus. 



Splash Zone. Immediately below the talus slopes, the cliffs or the 

 breaks, there is usually an undercut cliff or steep bank. This splash 

 zone rises directly from the water or lies back of a shallow beach. Soil 

 is absent or is to be found only in minute crevices because there is re- 

 current spraying of the zone by storm waves. Only a few halic annuals 

 and low perennials occur. Among such plants are Calandrinia mari- 

 tivfia, Atriplex califomica, Eriogonum giganteum compactum, Perityle 

 Emory i, Echeveria Greenei, Eriophyllum Nevinii, and occasional chance 

 grasses and forbs which have migrated from higher elevations during 

 favorable periods. There is apparently little variation because of slope 

 exposure since the proximity of the sea overshadows all other factors 

 here. 



