GENERAL EEPOET. 25 



As might be expected, Pinus ponderosa was the prevailing tree, and attained 

 magnificent proportions. Skirting the flanks lower down, we found growing 

 abundantly the Madrono (Arbutus Memiesii, Pursh) and Mansanita (Arcfo- 

 staphylos tomentosa), but not here attaining a height greater than 10 or 12 

 feet. The Oaks do not range higher than 6,500 feet on the slope of this 

 mountain. The northern slope of Mount Graham has a barren aspect, the 

 timber apparently not reaching so low a level as on the southern side. 

 This may be due to the steeper declivities, as well as to the greater heat 

 radiated from the Gila Valley. In the more open woods, from 7,000 to 

 9,000 feet, bunch-grass grew most luxuriantly ; and in the moister ravines 

 leading from the mountain down to the plain, sedges grew in dense masses, 

 and furnished (current teaching to the contrary notwithstanding) a much- 

 prized food for the stock ranging on the mountain. Whilst at Willow 

 Spring we found the Aquilegia chrysantha growing abundantly in the open 

 and on somewhat dry ground, on Mount Graham it was hardly ever seen 

 away from the spray of a shaded mountain stream. 



The Pinaleno Range, of whieh Mount Graham may be regarded as 

 the culmination, trends off toward the southeast, becoming reduced more 

 and more as it nears Railroad Pass, a distance of about twenty miles from 

 Camp Grant. This pass serves to connect the Arivaypa Valley on the west 

 with the plains of San Simeon on the east. This flat, dry region has a 

 varying altitude of from 4,239 feet at Eureka Springs to 4,833 feet at Camp 

 Grant, and thence descending to 3,485 feet at Whitlock's Cienega. 



Camp Bowie, situated in Apache Pass in the Chiricahua Range, which 

 may be regarded as on the southern border of the San Simeon Plains, h&s 

 an altitude of 4,872 feet. 



From Camp Grant to Camp Bowie, the route is over an exceedingly dry 

 region, the distance being about fifty miles, and water is to be found at 

 one point only, and here not with certainty. In the sandy arroyos were 

 found growing Baccharis sergilloides and B. ceerulescens. The local opinion 

 is that these plants will not grow where their roots cannot reach water. 

 There is no doubt that in many places where it grows, water may be had on 

 digging to a little depth. Tessaria borealis was also a common plant of the 

 region. 



