THE SPECIES. 



31 



less than an inch in thickness. The scales are thin and the bracts 

 protrude slightly. The seeds are less than an eighth of an inch in 

 length, with wings three or four times the length of the seed, that 

 provide for their wide distribution on even moderate winds. 



The early growth 

 of the larch is much 

 like that of the pine. 

 It grows rapidly un- 

 der normal condi- 

 tions, rising 1 to 3 

 feet a year. It needs 

 considerable light 

 and water. The form 

 of the larch is nar- 

 rowly conical in out- 

 line, with a thin open 

 crown and numerous 

 slender twigs. The 

 species of the larch 

 are few. There are 

 but /four in North 

 America, and two of 

 them occur in Mon- 

 tana. The larches are 

 partial to cold regions. 



The western larcJt, 

 (Larix occidentalis) 

 is found only in 

 northwestern North 

 America. 'It is also 

 known as Tamarack, 

 and occurs in the 

 Rocky Mountains 

 south to northern 

 Idaho and northwest- 

 ern Montana, and in 

 the Cascades to Ore- 

 gon; its northern ex- 

 tension lies within 

 British Columbia. In Montana it is found west of the Continental 

 Divide in the Flathead, Blackfoot, Clark's Fork, and Bitter Root 

 Valleys and reaches its best development in Flathead and Lincoln 

 Counties. In the drier portions of its range it is found on north 

 slopes, which provide lower c temperature and greater soil moisture. 



FIG. 15. Western Larch. A, Branch two years old; the 

 older portion bearing pollen flowers at a, and clusters of 

 leaves on short spurs. Last year's growth with leaves 

 arranged singly. B, A cone ; C, a young seed-bearing 

 scale and bract. About two-thirds natural size. 



