76 p s t e I 5 i a 



region under discussion. Not only are dead 

 logs, branches, the lower portion of trees etc. 

 covered with a layer of the bryophytic types, 

 but frequently large masses of moss perch high 

 up towards the tops of trees (PI. VIII.) or hang 

 in long festoons from the branches. The forest 

 lloor is car])eted in most ])laces with a layer of 

 Marchanlias, Juiigenininiiids and allied forms. 

 The great amount of moisture however makes 

 it possible for ])lants higher in the scale of devel- 

 opment than Bryojjhytes to adopt the epiphytic 

 mode of life. A characteristic epiphyte of the 

 region is l\)ly podium jalcaiuin. This fern is 

 almost invariably found growing upon the stems 

 and lov\-er branches of Alniis orci^ajni, in the 

 mossy covering of wliich the creeping rhizomes 

 find anchorage. Other ferns like Polystichiim 

 munitum and Lomaria spicuiit are occasionally 

 found upon moss covered branches of large trees 

 and in the old "Hexenbesen" of the hemlock. Not 

 infrequently one finds Vacciniiims and Menzies- 

 ias flourishing high up in some giant cedar or 

 spruce (PI. IX.), the demands for nourishment 

 of these small shrubs not being greater than the 



