158 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [no. 16. 



to the lower edge of the Canadian zone and formerly occupied in the 

 main by a forest of ])onderosa pines, some of which still remain scattered 

 over it. Except at its extreme lower limit, it is usually mixed with 

 buck-brusli (Ceanothns relnfinus). 



Seen from a distance, the extensive areas of manzanita on thi* lower 

 slopes of Shasta are very deceptive. They look like meadows of green 

 grass, but to cross them is in most cases impossible, owing to the den- 

 sity of the growth and rigidity of the branches. For this reason they 

 form secure retreats for black bears, deer, wild-cats and other animals. 



At two i)laces on the Avest side of the mountain Arctostaphi/Jos jxitida 

 reaches the extraordinary altitude of T.SOO to 7,000 feet. One of these 

 is on the north side of Diller Canyon, the otlier on the north side of 

 Horse Camp Trail. Both stations are on long and steep southwest 

 pumice slopes which receive the hot rays of the afternoon sun almost 

 at a right angle, carrying up numerous Transition zone species nearly 

 2,000 feet above their normal limit. (See p. 51.) From the sonthwest 

 base of Shasta the green manzanita reaches down the canyon of the 

 Sacramento Eiver to 'The Loop.' 



Phyllodoce empetriformis (Gray), lied Heather. 



\=i Bryan th hh empetriformi.s Auct. j 



Abundant along the cold streams of the lludsonian zone and in the 

 bottoms of the glacial basins that are kept nu)ist l»y melting snows; 

 commonest between the altitudes of 7,500 and 8,500 feet, and not seen 

 above 9,100 feet. This is the only 'heather' found on Shasta. It 

 usually forms extensive beds or carpets in which numerous other 

 plants hnd a congenial home. These beds are practically the only 

 flower gardens on the mountain, and the only areas where small plants 

 are plentiful enough to give the effect of continuous green; hence they 

 are commonly sjjoken of as 'heather meadows." 



Kalmia glauca microphylla Hook. Ali)ine Laurel. 



Abundant in most of the heather meadows just below timberline, 

 ]»articularly along Scpiaw Creek. In geneial size aiul aspect the iilpine 

 hiurel resembles the red heather so closely that at a little distance it is 

 difficult to tell them ai)art. 



Vaccinium caespitosum Mich. Dwnrf Alpine lUuebeiry. 



Abundant on the higher slopes within the Ilndsonijin zone, i-eMching 

 a little above timberline. Common here and there in the stony 

 pumice flats and basins, but commonest near the streams, where it is 

 s<-attered tlirough the heather an<l forms beds of its own along the 

 outer edges of the lu-athei- beds. Its leaves tnrn dark red or gaiiiet dur- 

 ing the latter hall" of September, (contrasting hamlsomely with the dark 

 green of the hejither. In the neighborhood of timberline the dwarf 

 blueberry is rarely more tlnin thi-ee or four inches in height. It w;is in 

 full bloom the miildlc of -hilv. 



