8 BOTANY. 
the greater crowding of its leaves as you reach the still luxuriant though 
more alpine forms. The herbaceous vegetation is represented by Primula 
Parryi, Adoxa Moschatellina, Trollius laxus, var. albiflorus, Caltha leptosepala, 
and Trifolium Parryi ; the first four finding in the cold streams and snow- 
fed bogs most. congenial homes. 
At timber-line, a most complete change comes over the landscape and 
with it, over the flora. Pinus Balfouriana, after becoming more and more 
common as we ascended the last thousand feet, has now attained the supreme 
place in the tree-flora. Except it, all other trees have disappeared under 
the increasing rigor of the alpine surroundings. It, too, has been dwarfed 
to the last degree compatible with the dignity of a tree. Where timber-line 
coincides nearly enough with the summit of the mountain to allow the 
strong west winds of the region to exert their full force upon the tree, it 
lies prostrate, with the top always pointing eastward, and having just 
enough of leaves, often, on its stunted branches to give sign of life. When 
some high cliff affords a shelter, the tree rises perpendicularly until the top 
is above the protection afforded, and it is then forced to take the eastward 
inclination 
From timber-line up, the surface may be bare of all vegetation, and 
simply a mass of rocks (often volcanic), or it may be more or less densely 
covered with a mixed sward of grass and sedges. Here and there, blooming 
in profusion, will be found clumps of Dryas octopetala, Trifolium nanum, 
Saxifraga Hirculus and flagellaris and serpyllifolia, Actinella grandiflora, and 
Gentiana Parryi. The last-named was found in full bloom near the summit 
of Red Mountain in August. Dwarfed specimens of Solidago Virga-aurea 
and Salix reticulata mingle themselves with the grass of the sward, and 
almost escape detection until looked for closely. Even these disappear as 
we approach an altitude of 14,000 feet, and there remains then hardly any- 
thing except Claytonia arctica, which sends its long, thick root deeply down 
among the rocks after its nourishment. 
TIMBER 
Pinus contorta, Dougl—(« Twisted-branch Pine;” “ Red Pine.”) — 
This tree grows 40 feet high, and has a diameter of about a foot; wood 
