86 postelsia 



fungal life which the region presents, but only 

 the occurrence and adaptation of a few parasitic 

 or semiparasitic, flowering plants. The most 

 characteristic and most common of these is the 

 "Hexenbesen-forming" mistletoe of the hemlock. 

 Wherever the west coast hemlock, Tsuga heter- 

 ophylla, occurs it is fre(|uently infested in patches 

 by the parasitic plant Razoiiuiojskya tsugciisis. It 

 occurs sometimes upon the main stem of the 

 tree and in such cases generally destroys the 

 timber value, l)Ut mostly upon the twigs and 

 branches. Whatever part of the tree is attacked 

 the result is alike apparent in an increase in 

 thickness of the infested portion and a great 

 proliferation and branching resulting in the char- 

 acteristic faciations known as "Hexenbesen" 

 (PI. XL). After a number of years there be- 

 gins to gather debris and moss in the "Hexenbe- 

 sen" with the result that the parasite finally dies 

 out. The damage however is done to the branch 

 and it is only a question of time before it dies 

 and rots. 



The method of seed distribution among this 

 group of plants is so well known as to merit only 



