542 



SOILS. 



FIG. 85. Saltwort Suaeda Torreyana, Wats. 



GREASEWOOD (Sarcobatus vcrmiciilatus (Hook. Torr.) ; 

 Fig. 86. 



This, the true Grcascwood of the desert region east of the 

 Sierra Nevada, and not either of the plants known under that 

 name in the San Joaquin Valley and in Southern California, 

 invariably indicates a heavy impregnation of the land with 

 hlack alkali or carbonate of soda. Since, as before stated, 

 black alkali is most likely to occur in low ground, we fre- 

 quently find the true greasewood forming bright green 

 patches in the swales, and on the benches of periodic streams, 

 as well as on the borders of alkali ponds or lakes. Stock un- 

 accustomed to it will frequently go to these patches on a run,. 



