THE TORREY PINE 



95 



COMPANIONS. 



Drawn by E. Roorback. 



South Coast Range area left only 

 vestiges of this forest on the immersed 

 peaks or islands. Between these islands 

 the tides flowed through the waterways 

 of Pacheco Pass, Ponoche Pass, Warthan 

 Pass etc., connecting the ocean and the 

 inland sea of the Great Valley. The 

 final uplift of the Coast Ranges, with 

 the species following the receeding shore 

 downwards, accompanied by changes 

 and diversifications in climatic con- 

 ditions would account for the persis- 

 tence and isolation of the present 

 arborial islands of Monterey pine, Mon- 

 terey Cypress and other species along 

 the California coast line. Subsidence 

 and uplift would also explain the 

 presence of species on the Santa Barbara 

 Islands and not on others by reason of 

 the difference of altitude among the 

 islands." 



Darwins oft-quoted statement that 

 ' The Oaks have driven the Pines to the 

 sands." comes to mind when seeing 

 this remarkable, interesting company of 

 pines. They have, like wise fighters, 

 entrenched themselves from further in- 

 vasion by retreating to a territory so 

 bleak and forbiding, no foe would care 

 to enter within its borders. Their arid 

 reservation is only about a mile wide 

 and eight miles long. To the north 

 Del Mar can be seen through their cone 

 fringed branches. To the south, La 

 Jolla lies, framed by strangely twisted 

 trees. To the east, the Los Penasquitos 

 and McGonigle canons lead the vision 

 far on to the deeply colored, purple and 

 amethist Cuyamaca mountains. The 

 outlook is wild, barbaric in color as is 

 characteristic of southern California's 

 mesa lands. 



