58 Postelsia 
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 projecting sidehills, the trees have been 
blown down in places. 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 opportunity for greater development. No- 
where, however, are such Stately trees! Scenmum 
such proximity to the harbor as in the Gordon 
valley. . The spruce, Picea Ssitchensis, icemyanan 
the most abundant tree, but not being closely 
crowded by other tall-growing forms like Thuja, 
Tsuga, and Pseudotsuga 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 heterophylla in many places occurs 
in beautiful stands almost to the exclusion of all 
