84 JYotice of the Vegetable Productions of 



ticular notice. Each flower is composed of six petals, about 

 three inches long, of a beautiful crimson color, the inside 

 spotted with white. The leaves of a rich green, oval, and 

 disposed in threes. This plant climbs upon trees, by attach- 

 ing itself to them; when it has reached the topmost branches, 

 it descends perpendicularly, and as it continues to grow, ex- 

 tends from tree to tree, until its vinous stalks interlace the 

 grove, like the rigging of a ship. The stems of this vine are 

 tougher and more flexible than willows, and are from three 

 hundred to six hundred feet in length. From the fibres, the 

 Indians manufacture baskets, of so close a texture as to hold 

 water. Parker calls it the Vining Honeysuckle, and observes 

 that it is one of the first ornaments of nature. 



FOREST TREES AND SHRUBS. 



The forest trees, near the coast, are hemlock, spruce, 

 white and red cedar, cotton wood or balm of Gilead, white 

 oak of several kinds, white and swamp ash, willow, black wal- 

 nut, and firs. 



Firs. — There are three species, and constitute by far the 

 greatest portion of the forest trees of the 0"egon region. 



Red Fir. — The foliage is scattered on all sides of the 

 branches, in the same form as those found in the eastern 

 states. 



Yellow Fir. — The foliage has leaves only on the upper 

 side. 



White Fir, has leaves oppositely pinnated. 



One species of the fir grows to the enormous size of from 

 four to eight feet in diameter, and two hundred feet high. 

 Mr. Parker measured one which was eight feet in diameter, 

 and two hundred and fifty feet high. 



Pine. — The pine is not found in the low country, nor far 

 west of the main range of the Rocky Mountains. They are 

 the white, Norway, pitch, and elastic. 



Elastic Pine. — The leaves resemble those of the pitch 

 pine, growing in bunches at the ends of the limbs, but short- 

 er, and smaller. The bark and trunk of the tree resembles 

 the larch. The wood is firm and elastic. The trees grow 

 very tall and straight, and without limbs, except near the top. 

 It is very difficult to break a limb an inch in diameter. They 

 are admirable for masts and spars, from their strength and elas- 

 ticity. 



