The Flora of the Pacifie Coast. 141 
big sequoias, in showing of what metal they are made. The 
third parallel, occupied by the forest of the Coast Range, the 
most wonderfully developed, although far from being the most 
varied of this continent, is commanded by the redwood, with 
the tide-land spruce, hemlock and gigantic arborvite joining the 
ranks. 
Broad-leaved trees are not absent, but so little developed in 
comparison with the mighty conifers that they play no conspic- 
uous part except along the river bottoms, where the maple, cotton, 
wood, ash and alder thrive, and in the narrow interior valleys. 
where an open growth of oak is found. Toward the south and 
on the lower levels these broad-leaved trees again become ever- 
green, as on the Atlantic side, but of different tribes, and form 
a subtropic flora. 
- Along the coast we find several species of true cypress, in- 
cluding the well known although rare Monterey cypress which 
clings to the gigantic rocks and braves the briny ocean winds, 
and with its branches twisted landward. Finally, flanking the 
battle order of the Pacific forest, we find another section of the 
army, composed of the northern extension of the Mexican flora- 
mingled with which are species from the Pacific forest on the 
west and from the Atlantic on the east. 
The mesquite and some acacias, the tree yuccas and the giant 
or tree cactus are perhaps the most characteristic and remark- 
*able species of the deserts of this region, while the high moun- 
tains support dense forests of firs and pines. 
So far we have considered the forest only from the geographic 
and botanical point of view,.and have watched the history of 
its struggle for existence against the elements and against the 
lower vegetation and other forces of nature. A new chapter of 
its life history, which we shall have time only to scan very 
briefly, began when man came upon the scene and the economic 
point of view had to be considered. 
For ages man has taken sides against the forest. Not only has 
he contested for the occupancy of the soil, in order to cultivate 
his crops or to make the meadow for his cattle—a most legitimate 
and justifiable proceeding,—and not only has he utilized the vast 
stores of wood accumulated through centuries, for the ten thou- 
‘sand uses to which this material can be applied, and in the ap- 
plication of which he exhibits his superior intelligence, but he 
