158 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 16. 
to the lower edge of the Canadian zone and formerly occupied in the 
main by a forest of ponderosa pines, some of which still remain scattered 
over it. Except at its extreme lower limit, it is usually mixed with 
buck-brush (Ceanothus velutinus). 
Seen from a distance, the extensive areas of manzanita on the lower 
Slopes of Shasta are very deceptive. They look like meadows of green 
grass, but to cross them is in most cases impossible, owing to the den- 
sity of the growth and rigidity of the branches. For this reason they 
form secure retreats for black bears, deer, wild-cats and other animals. 
At two places on the west side of the mountain Arctostaphylos patula 
reaches the extraordinary altitude of 7,800 to 7,900 feet. One of these 
is on the north side of Diller Canyon, the other on the north side of 
Horse Camp Trail. Both stations are on long and steep southwest 
pumice slopes which receive the hot rays of the afternoon sun almost 
at a right angle, carrying up numerous Transition zone species nearly 
2,000 feet above their normal limit. (See p. 51.) From the southwest 
base of Shasta the green manzanita reaches down the canyon of the 
Sacramento River to ‘The Loop.’ 
Phyllodoce empetriformis (Gray). ted Heather. 
[= Bryanthus empetriformis .\.uct.| 
Abundant along the cold streams of the Hudsonian zone and in the 
bottoms of the glacial basins that are kept moist by melting snows; 
commonest between the altitudes of 7,500 and 8,500 feet, and not seen 
above 9,100 feet. This is the only ‘heather’ found on Shasta. It 
usually forms extensive beds or carpets in which numerous other 
plants find a congenial home. These beds are practically the only 
flower gardens on the mountain, and tbe only areas where small plants 
are plentiful enough to give the effect of continuous green; hence they 
are commonly spoken of as ‘heather meadows.’ 
Kalmia glauca microphylla Hook. Alpine Laurel. 
Abundant in most of the heather meadows just below timberline, 
particularly along Squaw Creek. In general size and aspect the alpine 
laurel resembles the red heather so closely that at a little distance it is 
difficult to tell them apart. 
Vaccinium cespitosum Mich. Dwarf Alpine Blueberry. 
Abundant on the higher slopes within the Hudsonian zone, reaching 
a little above timberline. Common here and there in the stony 
pumice flats and basins, but commonest near the streams, where it is 
scattered through the beather and forms beds of its own along the 
outer edges of the heather beds. Its leaves turn dark red or garnet dur- 
ing the latter half of September, contrasting handsomely with the dark 
green of the heather. In the neighborhood of timberline the dwarf 
blueberry is rarely more than three or four inches in height. It was in 
full bloom the middle of July. 
