^33 



close to snow." This fact was also observed at our station, 

 where ^S". wmbellata occurrs sparingly and apparently reaches its 

 altitudinal limit, 7000 feet, not having been seen at higher ele- 

 vations, and kS. montana apparently does not descend below 

 7000 feet. It has a very different appearance both in the field 

 and in the herbarium, although at the point where the two spe- 

 cies meet one may find an occasional intergrading form. That 

 it is a mutate of ►S. umbellata is altogether probable, but to me 

 it seems absurd to question its validity simply because transition 

 forms may be found at the point where the two species overlap. 



RiBES 



This genus is one that lends itself very well to critical ex- 

 amination in the dried state, but observation has shown me that 

 all plants can be studied better when fresh, and some only in 

 that state if we want to get at their true characters. 



In Ribes at least so far as the gooseberries are concerned, 

 the comparative length of stamens and petals seems to furnish 

 good characters, but the flower should be in its prime if satis- 

 factory results are to be obtained. In young flowers the sta- 

 mens are liable to be too short, and descriptions should not be 

 based upon such material. 



Ribes occidentale is common about lyos Gatos, inhabiting 

 especially the low hills bordering the valley. In all the flowers 

 thus far examined from numerous bushes and at widely sepa- 

 rated points, the style is 2-parted, but in newly opened flowers 

 the two parts are pressed so closely together that one making 

 only a superficial examination might conclude that the organ is 

 entire. To the description of this species given on page 88 of 

 this volume, may be added the character, stamens with a short 

 recurved mucro. 



Ribes siibvestitum. The remarks concerning the style of 

 R, occidentale apply equally well to this species, for in young 

 flowers the two parts are often so united that one must actually 

 pull them apart, but so far as observed they are never really 



