26 Alhxaxder G. RuTin.-i-x 



Maquenque palm, so common lower down, disappears at 5,000 feet, but the 

 low, broad-leaved species, "Cola Gallo," becomes more abundant, so that 

 in many places it forms almost the only undergrowth present. On the 

 nortbeast slopes of the Sierras, also on San Lorenzo and the liorqueta, there 

 is a most unusual development of tree moss in the cloud zone. Between 

 6,000 and 8,000, or even 9,000 feet, these slopes are drencbed with rain or 

 cloud mist almost daily, and as a consequence this moss attains such a 

 growth as to choke out most of the smaller epiphytic growth, only the 

 hardier Bromehas being able to withstand it. Not only the trunks of the 

 trees are solidly carpeted with it, but the branches and even slender twigs 

 are completely enveloped with close-set filaments from one to three inches 

 long. (PI. II; PI. Ill, fig. i; PI. IV, PI. V.) 



A magnificent palm, resembling the Royal Palm, is also abundant on 

 the north slopes between 4,500 and 6,000 feet, appearing often in large 

 groves, the great plume-like tops towering above the other forest growth. 

 Above 6,000 feet the size of the forest trees gradually diminishes, except 

 in sheltered valleys. Bromeliads and orchids become more abundant in 

 individuals and species and now grow low down on the trunks of the trees 

 as well as on the branches. P'our very distinct species of bromelias were 

 noted on San Lorenzo between 5,000 and 8,000 feet. At 7,000 feet the 

 type of forest growth changes rapidly, giving way to trees of a hardier 

 character, many with small, close-set leaves of dark, glossy green. They 

 are not so tall, more branching, and less symmetrical in shape. Different 

 types of undergrowth also appear. Bamboo grass and bamboo cane Ijecome 

 the dominant undergrowth in many places, often completely choking out 

 every other variety of smaller growth. Such tracts of bamboo grass and 

 cane are nearly impenetrable, except by the hardest kind of cutting with a 

 machete, and they contain little in the way of animal life. At about 7,000 

 to 7,500 feet and upward as far at least as 9,000 feet, on all open or exposed 

 ridges, especially those which have been burnt, a peculiar large bronieliad 

 with great recumbent stalks grows along the ground. (PI. VI.) These 

 plants harbor many species of amphibians and insects and hold a consider- 

 able amount of water in their crowns, even through the dry season. Coarse 

 brake ferns of several species are abundant, especially where fire has passed, 

 extending from 4,000 to 8,000 feet or more. Countless species of smaller 

 ferns abound at all altitudes, from 1,500 feet to timber-line, from the most 

 delicate of maidenhairs to the great tree ferns. There are also present on 

 San Lorenzo, from 7,000 feet upward, great numbers of an exceedingly tall 

 and slender palm, known locally as the "wax palm," and apparently very 

 similar to, or identical with, the palms which are so abundant in the central 

 Andes in the vicinity of Ouindio Pass. I have no recollection or note of the 

 presence of these palms in the Sierra Nevada proper. From 7,000 feet up 

 to timber-line there is little change in the types of vegetation, certain species 

 of trees and shrubs disappear, to be replaced by others of similar type. The 

 trees, however, become lower and more branching, and on exposed ridges 

 are gnarled and twisted, while nearly all are smothered in masses of many 

 curious forms of epiphytes, mosses, and lichens. At timber-line the change 



