64 THE TREES OF AMERICA. 



PLATE XII. 



YELLOW PINE (OF- THE WEST!)— FMUS PONDEROSA. 



This pine is also known by tlie names of P. Brachyptera, P. Engelmanni, P. 

 Berdslesi, and P. Benthamiana. 



We are indebted for our description and Plate to the " Pacific Railroad Sur- 

 vey." We take pleasure in acknowledging our obligation to Dr. Newberry, 

 " Geologist and Botanist of the expedition," for much valuable information upon 

 the botany, etc., of this interesting portion of our country. " This pine," says 

 Dr. Newberry, " is the most widely distributed of, ajl the pines which are found 

 in California or Oregon, and over large areas itds not only the most common, 

 but the only species. The raijge of this tree is from the mountains of New 

 Mexico, (San Fran,cisco, &c.,) northward to ^.ud beyond the Columbia, and from 

 the coast in California, where it i§., comparatively rare, to the Eocky Mountain 

 chain on the east." 



We should think that this species -might be introduced here with advantage, 

 for it seems well adapted to almost any climaite or soil. Speaking of its range, 

 Dr. Newberry goes on to say, " At MeCumber's, it forms an important element 

 in the magnificent forest of that region ; and;still higher, on the flanks of Lar- 

 ren's butte, it composes the 'entire foisest, rising nearly to the line of perpetual 

 snow ; as we descended into Pit river ai^d Klamath basins, we found it still abun- 

 dant, forming the most constant feature in the vegetation of our route from Pit 

 river to the Columbia. Near or distant trees were always in sight ; and_ in the 

 and and desert regions of the interior basin we made whole days' marches in for- 

 ests of yellow pine, of which the monotony was unbroken either by other forms 

 of vegetation, or the stillness by the flutterof a bird or the hum of an insect. 



