58 IPostelsia 



beyond being the same, it allows the strong 

 winds from the straits to sweep unimpeded up 

 through the valley. This accounts in a large 

 measure for the somewhat different general as- 

 pect of the vegetation in the lower portions at 

 least. On some ot the slight elevations and 

 points of ])rojecting sidehills, the trees have been 

 blown down in ])laces. In these openings, the 

 shrubby undergrowth assumes much the same 

 character as at the forest edge, and the herb- 

 aceous forms with the admittance of more light 

 find o])])ortunity for greater development. No- 

 where, however, are such stately trees S( en in 

 such proximity to the harbor as in the Gordon 

 valley. The s])ruce, Picca sitrJicusis, is by far 

 the most abundant tree, but not being closely 

 crowded by other tall-growing forms like Thuja, 

 Tsiii^a, and Pseud otsui^a it generally becomes 

 much branched, and although of large diameter 

 never attains great height. As the valley is as- 

 cended, the spruce loses its predominance and 

 is largely supplanted by the cedar and the hem- 

 lock. Tsuga hetcrophylla in many places occurs 

 in beautiful stands almost to the exclusion of all 



