INTKODUCTION 



19 



THE LOWER MOUNTAIN REGION. 



As we begia to enter the mountain range we come upon Avliat we liave termed the Loicer 

 Mountain Begion^ the intervening slope between the base of the mountain and the summit ridge. 

 Here the species of plants last considered disappearj and are replaced by an almost entirely dif- 

 ferent assemblage of vegetable forms. 



The Adenostoma fascicuJaiay which we have before alluded to, is frecjuently found covering 

 entire hills. This ^lant is not peculiar to this region, but grows on all exposed situations^ from 

 the lowest to the most elevated. It has fine and thickly set dark green foliage, and form<^ a 

 conspicuous feature in the landscape. From its habit of growth it may be considered as the heath 

 of this country, though it belongs to a diiferent family, tliat of the llosacece. 



As the Artemesias disappear^ scrub oaks show themselves on the steeper mountain slopes ; 

 and, as the valleys become narrower and more rocky^ we find the California live-oak {Qiiercus 

 agri/oUa,) This forms a large spreading tree, the holly-like evergreen foliage of which adds 

 to the beauty of the mountain scenery. In the more northern sections of the country tliis oak 

 is met Tvith in the vicinity of the sea ; but as far south as San Diego it grows upon the moun- 

 tain slopes only, and its presence denotes a considerable elevation. It is usually of stocky 

 growth and unwieldy shape. Its wood is coarse grained and liable to speedy decay ; hence it is 

 but little esteemed for its timber. It has, however, a very tliick bark, which will^ no doubt, in 

 time, be found of great value as a tanning material. 



Among the shrubs of this region which deserve notice is Arcfostaphylos tomenfosa. This 

 species is said to form quite a good sized tree at the north ; but in the district at present under 

 consideration it occurs only as a shrub, rarely attaining the height of fifteen feet and a diameter 

 of from two to four inches at the base. It is a handsome evergreen bush, sending off numerous 

 branches close to the ground. Its bark is smooth, of a reddish color, and splits off in trans- 

 verse shreds. The wood^ which is very close grained and durable, is an excellent material for 

 small turning work. It bears a small red berry, resembling our well known ^^ bear berry,'' 

 though less astringent, which possesses acid properties, and, under the name of 3IanzoMila^ 

 Q^ little apple,") is in common use as an ingredient of cooling drinks. 



Another plant belonging to this region is Cei^asus ilicifolius (^^ wild plum.") This is also an 

 evergreen, and has thick pale green spinously serrate leaves. Its fruit, when mature^ is of a 

 yellowish pink color, with a pulpy external portion scarcely exceeding a line in thickness. 

 Though the fruit has a pleasant taste, it would scarcely be considered worth eating in a country 

 which was not, like this, almost destitute of wild fruits. 



The scrub oaks growing here are all evergreen, with rigid coriaceous repandly toothed leaves, 

 which are very variable in size and shape, even in the same individual. The fruit of all the 



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species IS of about the medium size and form, and is collected in large quantities by the Indians, 

 who use it in preparing their favorite article of food, which they call " Atole." 



yus parvifoli 



o 



long, spirally-tailed seeds. It is quite a handsome shrub, growing in clumps, and throws up 

 wand-like branches to the height of five or ten feet. This is pretty exclusively confined to the 

 higher elevations, and even reaches to the summit ridge. 



We notice, also, as an inhabitant of these localities, Frangula Californica^ Gray, (RJiamnus 



