1904] COPELAN = 
LAND—VARIATION OF CALIFORNIA PLANTS 413 
Why ar om 
ae . : tied plants common in this region? Because 
probability that the ee in environments. There is a very strong 
ieder substantial es spring of a plant in the level east will grow 
and that this El be : wie conditions under which its parent grew, 
conditions, variations se generation after generation. Under such 
environment will in ti tting the plant in the slightest degree to its 
acters. That even ape be selected and will become specific char- 
inl = most minor differences which serve as specific 
Be rot the least d eee have the selection value this assumes 
the species, nor for “i t; for they surely are not there to distinguish 
Within bounds estabjj sake of uniformity. It is heredity, acting 
limits variation ever oe ed by the rigor of natural selection, that 
conditions are in ce oe In the mountains of the eastern states | 
valleys: the seed ma os aces hardly less uniform than in the great 
will grow under ee be carried as far as possible, but the seedlings 
ne of the dae) like those of their parents. 
there is a stron es Californian shrubs or trees scatters its seed, 
of them will Sas at ability that the plants which grow from some 
those of their a emselves in surroundings decidedly different from 
than in old oe : se Soils differ more in new and mountainous 
altitude, with a seis Ors: A difference of some 2000 feet in 
among ‘i. ce difference in temperature, is possible 
ininor differences . ae of these plants; and these are but 
being the im oF in environment, the moisture and wind factors 
plants may be ae ones. Some of the descendants of on 
0 grow on high ridges swept by ocean gales; others 
very dry and hot ridges and hilltops; 
ed from wind; others 
and still others 
eep the 
e of these 
0 
— only less windy, 
in the ra oe chaparral, dry and hot, but protect 
in the eng passes, sheltered from most winds; 
air fair] ns, OF vather gulches, deep and shady enough to k 
Ifa ele and still at all times. 
to ae in this region whose lack of variation enabled it 
offspring uniformly well adapted to any one environment 
a lar, e ‘ 
Be part of its seeds would be likely to fall where the seedlings 
hich they were but ill 
its off. . 
spring, wherever they find themselves, 
