Notes on Forest Conditions in Northwestern Nebraska 59 



cana and Primus melanocarpa, are common. Now and then 

 an individual of Pinus pondcrosa is seen among the tangle 

 of deciduous trees. The cottonwood is the largest tree in the 

 region. Specimens of this species four and one-half feet in 

 diameter were found. The elm frequently attains the size of 

 two feet in diameter. Many of the larger trees were gnarled 

 and twisted, seeming to indicate that they had been subjected 

 to severe wind storms. Underneath the large trees and the 

 secondary layer of small trees there is a tertiary layer com- 

 posed of many species of low shrubs belonging to the genera 

 Rosa, Ribes, Cornus, R-ubus, Rhus, Symphoricarpos and others. 

 Clematis, Vitis, and Parthenocissus are common lianas that 

 frequently convert the forest into an almost impassible jungle. 

 In addition to all these woody plants there are many species 

 of herbaceous plants too numerous to mention in this paper. 

 On the whole this formation reveals the densest and most 

 varied vegetation of northwest Nebraska. The vegetation 

 shows a decided alliance with that of the Black Hills and the 

 Rocky Mountains. This fact is especially well seen in the 

 herbaceous species. The presence of the Birch and Aspen in 

 the deeper canyons suggests a strong relation to a northerly 

 flora. The soil of the formation is a rich sandy loam with 

 considerable humus and a relatively high water content. There 

 is usually a layer of decomposing leaves and stems that har- 

 bors many species of saprophytic fungi. 



This formation follows far out into the Bad Lands and 

 mesas of Hat Creek basin to the north. From the tops of the 

 ridges narrow tongues of deciduous growth may be traced 

 for many miles along the stream courses in a general north- 

 easterly direction until lost in the hazy distance. It is along 

 these streams that drain northward that the beaver is still 

 active. Along the small stream that emerges from War Bonnet 

 canyon these little animals have let their presence be known 

 in the form of many dams and fallen trees of various ages. 

 At present their operations are far out upon the plain from 

 the mouth of the canyon, and they seem to be going farther 

 out. They have left in their wake a wrecked forest. Hardly 

 a single large tree has been left standing. The cottonwood 

 especially has fallen prey to their sharp teeth and many large 

 trees of this species lie where the beavers have felled them. 



