MOUNTAIN TREES 



some of the grotesque and peculiar out- 

 growths are almost the size of barrels. 



Live Oaks (Quercus agrifolia), stragglers from the 

 broad, lowland valleys, are occasionally found in the 

 lower canyons. They may be distinguished from the 

 Golden Oaks by the fact that the leaves, always 

 toothed, are convex on the upper surface. 



"The California Scrub Oak," says Sudworth," un- 

 questionably varies more than all our other oaks in 

 the form and size of its leaves and acorns. No sort of 

 satisfactory harmony can be established between the 

 perplexing phases of its development, and one is likely 

 to be hopelessly confused without a most comprehen- 

 sive field study of the bushes and small trees belonging 

 to this species." One of the best field marks is the 

 tuberculate scales of the acorn cup. The tubercles are 

 often so regular "as to suggest a quilted cushion." 



92 



