39 



unless driven by hunger. The plant grows about a span high, 

 with tufted branches, small, toothed leaves and cream-colored 

 flowers. 



BUCKWHEAT FAMILY. 



(Polygonaceae.) 



GIANT KNOTWEED. 



(Polygonum polymorphum, Ledeb.) 



PL. XVIII. 



This tall-growing plant was seen quite frequently in moist 

 places by the side of creeks, roadsides and in meadows under the 

 trees. It grows from two to ten feet high with numerous long 

 leaves on lateral branches of the stem. The stems are filled with 

 a sweet, watery juice, making it a very succulent and nutritious 

 forage plant. The sheep are very fond of it, eating the whole 

 plant, both stems and leaves. It is very probable that this would 

 prove a valuable plant if introduced into cultivation. The seeds 

 are large and could be easily gathered. 



MUSTARD FAMILY. 

 (Cruciferae.} 



The members of this family have a pungent, watery juioe, an 

 example of which may be found in the root of the horse radish. 

 The cabbage, turnip and mustard, which are staple articles of 

 food, also belong to this family. Although many plants were 

 seen on the ranges which the sheep did not care for, yet none of 

 them were so particularly disliked as those belonging to the 

 mustard family. Even when the sheep are very hungry they 

 will not touch them. 



WESTERN WALL-FLOWER. 



{Erysimum asperum, D. C.) 



This large, yellow-flowered mustard was common in dry- 

 places on the ranges, at all altitudes from Webber Lake to 



