81 



of the low growing plants like Oxalis, Stellaria Trifolium and several of the 

 Malvas. The temperate zone is characterized, nevertheless, by many genera 

 and families that are not present or are hardly noticeable in the more trop- 

 ical regions. The genus Salvia and order Lythraceae have a strikingly large 

 distribution. Of these latter Cuphea is the most conspicuous element, 

 growing in great abundance under all conditions of soil and moisture. 

 There are many representatives from the Geraniacere, Borraginace*, Scroph- 

 ulariacea?, Verbenacea? and Acanthacea% which take the place in a great 

 measure of the Malvaceae, Kubiacese, Asclepiadaceie, Solanaceee and Euphor- 

 biacesB in the tropics. 



Great and rapid changes are experienced in the flora as the slopes are as- 

 cended above 9 000 feet, and there are well marked zones for the distribu- 

 tion of plants till the limit of vegf tation is reached. Between 9,000 and 10,- 

 000 feet, species of Sisymbrium, Lepidium, Geum, Epiiobium, O^.nothera, 

 Krynitzkia, Mimulus, Castilleia, Verbena, Salvia, Plantago and Chenopo- 

 dium, are the most characteristic forms of the herbaceous flora. Promi- 

 nent among the Compositpe are Steria, Avillea, Dahlia and Tagetes, and be- 

 sides Eupatorium and Baccharis the shrubby flora is represented by Rubus, 

 Symphoricarpos and Bu'idleia. Prominent among the grasses are Agrostis, 

 Muehlenbergia and Bromus, and the ferns are represented by Adiantum, 

 Cheilanthes, Woodsia and Asplenium. 



Between 11,000 and 12,000 feet the forests are entirely of pines and spruce. 

 The greater part of the herbaceous flora at this altitude is composed of Ce- 

 rastium, Lupinus, Acaena, Eryngium, Arracacia, Halenia, Penstemon, Cni- 

 cus and Stenanthium. Penstemon and Stenathium are exceedingly abun- 

 dant, though possessing a very limited range. 



At 13,000 feet the vegetation consists principally of Ceraetium, Arenaria, 

 Potentilla, Castelleia and Lithospernum. The pine woods, beginning at 

 7,000 feet, disappear at 13,000 feet, excepting stunted forms that continue to 

 14,000 feet. At 13,500 feet the vegetation becomes scantier and the slopes 

 more sandy and beset with masses of sharp pointed rocks. The dry, sandy 

 soil produces species of Draba, Gnaphalium, Senecio, Cnicus, Agrostis, Bro- 

 mus and Asplenium. Even a.% 14,000 feet on the higher slopes, just at the 

 snow line, there exists quite a varied vegetation, with species of Draba, 

 Sisymbrium, Gnaphalium, Cnicus, Asplenium and the grasses of the sandy 

 plain belo ST. This was the highest point colleci ions were made, but sev- 

 eral species extend their range a hundred feet higher, and Dr. Scovell 

 secured a Draba at 15,000 feet. 



6 



