438 IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



occurs from sea level up to above 2,000 feet. It is not so 

 large as the Sitka spruce or Western hemlock, the largest trees 

 observed by the writer being somewhat less than two feet in 

 diameter. The wood is sulphur-yellow in color, very fine- 

 grained, and comparatively heavy for its class. It is remark- 

 ably durable, works easily, and is valuable for interior finish. 



Firms contorta occurs mainly on the Muskeg where it is a 

 stunted shrub. Well grown trees of moderate size occur in 

 favorable locations, but they are infrequent. The wood is hard 

 and resinous. 



Red alder (Abuts oregona) is largely confined to the banks 

 of water courses, where it may reach a diameter of one foot or 

 more. The wood is pale reddish brown, light, and fine-grained. 

 It is sought locally for fuel. 



The Sitka alder (Abuts sitchensis) has a wider range of 

 habitat than the Red alder, but does not grow so large. 

 GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 



A large number of grasses are native to the region but there 

 are three species that are outstanding from an economic point 

 of view. These species are the Beach rye (Elymus mollis) and 

 two species of Calamagrostis (C. aleutica and C. langsdorfii) . 

 The first is rather large and coarse but is claimed to make fine 

 feed and silage. It occurs on the beaches and tide flats. The 

 species of Calamagrostis attain a height of from three to six 

 feet and are often called Alaska redtop. 



Sedges are not generally so palatable or nutritions as grasses 

 but may be used for feeding stock. Sedges are especially 

 abundant on the borders of lakes (Plate XXIII). 



Only one native legume is abundant enough to be of any 

 value whatever as a forage plant. That one is Vicia gigantea. 

 It occurs only near the sea. 



FRUIT-BEARING PLANTS. 



The majority of the fruit-bearing plants of Alaska belong 

 to three genera, Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium. Several other 

 groups are represented by one or two species. 



Of the five species of Ribes native to Alaska, only two are 

 found in the vicinity of Sitka. These are R. bracteosum and R. 

 laxi [lor um. Ribes bradteosum (Pint.' XXV) is very abundant 

 and one of the most valuable of the native fruits. The bush 



