The Forest Region of Northern Idaho — Leiherg. 89 



and the crest of the range forms the boundary line between Idaho 

 and Montana. 



Though not abounding in lofty peaks and summits, yet ^t not 

 a few points does it reach the line of perpetual snow, which by 

 the way, is far higher on the Pacific side of the Rockies than on 

 the Atlantic side. Bu'i what it lacks in lofty grandeur is more 

 than compensated for in the indescribable ruggedness of its con- 

 tour. It has been stated that no mountain chain within the United 

 States is so difficult of access and exploration as the Ccjeur d'Alenes; 

 and a little experience in threading one's way through its dense 

 forests and labyrinthine spurs gives a strong color of truth to this 

 assertion. 



I started from Lewiston, Idaho, in April. Though so early in 

 the spring, the season was quite far advanced and everywhere the 

 hillsides and valleys were covered with a profusion of flowers, giv- 

 ing the country in many places the appearance of a huge flower- 

 garden. For some miles the road, a narrow Indian trail, led 

 through the Nez Perces Indian reservation, along the Clearwater, 

 a tributary of the Columbia river system. The country here is gen- 

 erally treeless, intersected by deep, narrow gorges running in all 

 directions. 



Now and then, some attempts at Indian agriculture were seen, 

 ratlier sorry-looking, to be sure, yet still showing a desire on the 

 part of their owners to adopt white men's ways; probably more 

 prompted by necessity than any great desire to work. 



After following the Clearwater for fifteen miles, the trail 

 turned northward and ran up the valley of one of the numerous 

 mountain streams which rise in the Coeur d'Alenes. The flora 

 here was new and strange, but occasionally an eastern species, or 

 species belonging to genera common in the east, would appear and 

 remind one of home and civilization. In place of Anemone pat- 

 <?ns, var. Nuttalliana, that covers our hillsides in early spring, the 

 slopes there abounded with Anemone occidentalis, Watson. Sisy- 

 rinchium angustifolium. Miller, was replaced by S. grandiflorum, 

 Dough, this plant in places covering acres in extent and presenting 

 a most gorgeous sight. Several species of Pencedanum were com- 

 mon, some of these as P. farinosum, Geyer, furnishing from their 

 farinaceous roots an important article of diet for the Indians. A 

 number of species of Castilleia, among others C. coccinea, common 

 in our state, were noted. Many species of Delphinium, Zygadenus, 



