86 Postelsia 
fungal hfe 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 frequently infested in patches 
by the parasitic plant Razoumofskya tsugensis. It 
occurs sometimes upon the main stem of the 
tree and in such cases generally destroys @eue 
timber value, but mostly upon the twigs and 
branches. Whatever part of the tree is attacked 
the result is alike apparent in an imerédsesam 
thickness of the infested portion and a great 
proliferation and branching resulting in the char- 
acteristic faciations known as ‘‘ Hexenbesen”’ 
(Pl, XT). Atter a mumiber of years’ theremioe: 
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 
