BIOLOGICAL RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 127 
of the prairie or open hillside, rarely taken in woods, and then only in open 
places. 
The western milfoil, Achillea millefolium, L., is also a conspicuous 
flower of the landscape. Everywhere in open prairies it grows in great 
abundance, although not in such great masses as the Clarkia. It is 
everywhere common, but grows among the other vegetation without ap- 
parently monopoiizing the soil. In the Mission valley the milfoil thrives 
luxuriantly. In the early spring its clusters of dissected leaves lends a 
charm, of color. Later the stem ascends, in midsummer reaching matur- 
ity. Its abundance of white composite flowers, scattered among the blue 
Lupinus, purple Clarkia, red Geranium and yellow Balsamorrhiza, is easily 
recognized and is very conspicuous. Later, in August and September, 
the plant withers and dries on the stem; the leaves dry and become a dull 
brown; the flower stalks and flowers have fulfilled their mission, and 
the whole plant is dead and withered. 
Another flower of the plain and open hillside is the composite Bal- 
samorrhiza Sagittata, Nutt. This plant has large, thick, auriculated 
leaves, growing in clusters from thick rootstalks. The flower heads 
grow singly on branchless stalks a foot or two high. The plants do 
not grow tall. The large leaves spread out in every direction, casting 
shade over the smaller vegetation. Not only does the shade retard the 
growth of competitors, but the large rootstalks monoplize the soil. The 
flowerstalks are numerous, each with a large, yellow, and conspicuous 
head. The plant grows in masses. Its best season is in June. It be- 
gins to blossom in early May, continuing until late in July. In August 
the leaves wither on their stems, rattling more with the movement of an 
animal than dried corn stalks. Balsamorrhiza grows abundantly on the 
dry and level plains. It is a xerophytic plant. It ascends the dry and 
open hillsides, and the large areas of yellow flowers may be detected miles 
away. Occasionally it seems to get into low and swampy meadows, 
where it struggles for an existence. It is sometimes seen in dense 
timber, often in open timber, but thrives best on open plain or hillside. 
It grows abundantly at all altitudes in the western part of the state up 
to 6,000, more sparingly for perhaps another thousand. In the Mission 
valley it has its best growth on the slopes nearer the mountains, and 
in the open woods and treeless hillsides. In the Mission range a species of 
Lupinus is as conspicuous as any of the flowers previously mentioned, 
and fully as abundant. Early in the spring its palmately compound 
leaves make their appearance, easily recognized. In May it has begun 
to bloom, the flowers continuing until late in July, when the last 
unfold. At the time of our passage, July 11, the plants had passed their 
best, save an occasional stalk which was covered with deep blue flowers, 
causing exclamations of pleasure and delight from the botanists of the 
party. Like the plants previously mentioned, this lupine thrives in the 
open plains or hillsides, but is almost as abundant on partially wooded 
slopes. Mountains from 2,000 to 3,000 feet high are in spring time cloth- 
ed from foot to summit with its luxuriant growth, its deep blue making 
a charming mixture with the sombre green of the yellow pine, red fir, or 
the brighter green of the tamarack and balsam. Unlike the Clarkia, 
