VI 



Preface 



tially moisture-loving forms, with a luxuriant 

 growth of stems and leaves; it is only where 

 the conditions are similar in the two regions 

 that we find the same or similar forms 

 existing. Few of the more characteristic 

 Rocky Mountain species extend west of the 

 divide, while of those of the Selkirks, few 

 extend east of it, except where there is a 

 luxuriant forest growth, with the consequent 

 retention of moisture, and then only at alti- 

 tudes of from 2000 to 3000 feet greater. 



Contrasting the plants of this region with 

 those of the European Alps it is interesting 

 to note, that while the species are for the 

 most part vastly different, yet there is a 

 certain close resemblance in the families 

 and genera which are represented; the 

 Anemones are here, but not in the scarlets 

 and crimsons, running more to whites and 

 purples, and so are the Buttercups, dwarf 

 many of them, but with large, showy flowers ; 

 the Saxifrages and Drabas are innumerable 

 as are the Vetches and also the Heaths, but 



