OCT., 1899.] PLANTS. 145 



associate Polyf/omim neichcrn/i, and few species bear a closer resem- 

 blance tlian /'. sha.stcnse and its geograi»hically remote relative P. paro- 

 nychia. The resemblance is not only most striking, but is exceedingly 

 interesting from the standpoint of geographic distribution. Polygonum 

 shasten.se lives at high altitudes in the High Sierra and Cascade Range, 

 while P. paronycJiia inhabits the outer sea beach in northern California 

 and Oregon, where it is bathed in the chilly fogs of the Pacitic Ocean. 

 The root of Polygonum slia.stoi.se is of moderate size and slopes very 

 obliquely into the soil. It divides into half a dozen long slender rootlets, 

 which penetrate to a depth of 550 millimeters or more. One specimen 

 examined divided into three main roots of rather large size, which 

 tapered very gradually and reached a length of 750 millimeters. The 

 branches are prostrate and usually form loosely intertwined mats 300 

 to 500 millimeters in diameter, rising in some cases 40 to 50 millimeters 

 above the surface, but usually flattened on the ground. 



Polygonum newberryi Small. Broad-leaf Polygonum. 



Abundant from the lower edge of the Hudsonian zone up to a little 

 above timberline, where its big green leaves are very conspicuous on 

 the pale pumice soil and among the broken fragments of gray lava rock. 

 About the middle of September the leaves turn red — often a deep 

 handsome red — and begin to fall, so that by the end of the month the 

 plant has practically disap[)eared. Its buckwheat-like fruit is a favorite 

 footl of the mice inhabiting the higher slopes. 



Oreobroma triphylla (Wats.) Howell. Dwarf Alpine Spring Beauty. 



This tiny inconspicuous plant was found near timberline north and 

 northwest of Eed Butte. (Identified by Professor Greene.) 



Spraguea umbellata Torr. Pussy paws. 



Abundant on the pumice slopes of the Hudsonian zone, beyond which 

 it pushes both upward and downward on suitable soils. The highest 

 altitude at which it was noted is 9,400 feet on the east side of Mud 

 Creek Canyon, but it was rarely seen above 9,000 feet. On the other 

 hand, a form of it descends in suitable spots to the lower edge of the 

 Canadian zone near Wagon Camp (altitude 5,600 feet), and to the same 

 altitude in the lower part of Mud Creek Canyon. 



Stellaria crispa C. & S. 



Collected by Vernon Bailey and Miss Wilkins in Mud Creek Canyon 

 near the junction of Clear Creek. (Identified by Professor Greene.) 



Sagina saginoides (L.) Brit. 



Occurs above timberline; collected by Miss Wilkins. 

 Silene grayi Watson. Hudsonian Catchfly. 



Common in stony places and along streams below timberline in the 

 Hudsonian zone. Found both in the stony pumice soil and in the 

 heather beds. (Identified by Miss Eastwood and Dr. B. L. Bobinson.) 

 21753— No. 10 19 



