THE xMOUNTAINEER 44 



Some of those hang' down and others form crusts on the trees. We tind 

 the trees decorated from sea-level to the summit. Some trees have long 

 streamers waving in the wnnd. The forms of Usnea are the most common 

 of these pendant forms. 



As we begin to emerge from the forest region into the parks or meadoAvs 

 we tind many herbaceous plants. Perhaps the largest and most chai-acteristic 

 is the p]lk Grass (Xerophyllum tenax). This phint is called Scpiaw grass 

 because it is used by the Indians in making baskets. Mountain Lily is 

 another popular name for it. The Sitka valerian and the Mountain dock 

 are always pioneers on the outpost of the open grassy slopes. There are 

 four or more ditferent kinds of huckleberry bushes loaded with fruit in the 

 proper season. The rosy spiraea is quite common along the rills and with it 

 grow several alpine willows. Among the roots of these shrubs grow 

 Mimulus aplinus and Mimulus Lewisii, popuhirly known as monkey tioAvers. 

 Both of these form dense mats — the former of snuill yellow flowers and the 

 latter of large rose-colored blossoms. The white and yeUow deertongues 

 grow among' the tall, waiving: grass. Two species of Arnica and several 

 mountain dandelions add more yellow to the scene while several species of 

 Asters give a coloring of purple. Under the cliffs are two species of blue 

 bells. The round leaved one, so common on Ihe prairies, is equally Avell at 

 home at an altitude of nearly 60()() feet. Several members of the lily family 

 grow here together with three or four composite flowers, one of which 

 proved to be ncAv to science and Avas named from my collection. Near by 

 on a stony slope Avas a dense mass of a pretty little union also ncAV to science, 

 Avhile on the very highest peaks Avas a large purple violet also Avaiting to be 

 christened. Thus Avere three ncAV plants found near together and neither 

 so far as I knoAv has been found outside of the ()lym]iics. Theri^ Avere three 

 fciDs gioAving (in llicse peaks, namely the lace fei'ii ( Cheilaiithej gracillinai. 

 (Polypodium hesperimum) and ( Polystichum lonchites). These are strictly 

 alpine fen:s and are not seen about Puget Sound. There Avere several 

 painted cu} s or Indian pinks in this region. Some of these Avere yelloAV. 

 some red and others purple. The red., AAhite and yelloAV heathers Avere also 

 abundant. The most attractive of all, perhaps, Avas the puri)le lai'ks])ur 

 (Delphinium bicolor). There Avere several nu^mbers of the mustanl family 

 nearly all of Avhich Avei'c small. The pea family Avas Avell i-epresentcd both 

 in nun.ber and beauty of coloring. 



I; A^ould be out of place for me in a i)aper of this kind to name all tie' 

 plants seen in Ihe region referred to. I have indicated <^nly those which 1 

 think ai-e tbe most conspicuous and Avhich Avould be observed by tourists. 

 There is a gieat similarity betAveen the flora here and that in the Cascades. 

 The Olyiri-ic uic untains seem to have fcAver species common to Ihe eastern 

 states tiian c'o the Cascades. The Cascades have more common to the Arctic 

 regiors. The 'after fact is just Avhat might be expected because of the 

 isolation of tbe (Olympics. There is not the oi)p()rtunity for noitli and 

 south migration in these that there is in the Cascades. Hence the new and 

 rare species of the Olympics belong more to the ordinary genera. 



There is pei'haps no other region in the United States that can ecpial the 

 Olympics for hunting and fishing-. The streams and small lakes are Avell 

 sup])lied Avith trout. The large animals are fairly abundant in the interior 

 of these mountains. Bears and cougars are often seen proAvling along the 

 Avell beaten trails. 



