332 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA. [No. 7. 



Owens Valley. — West of Lone Pine this species is common and ranges 

 up on the east slope of the Sierra to about 1,890 meters (6,li0o feet). 



Eriogonum inflatum. 



This singular species, winch was discovered by Fremont in his nota- 

 ble journey across the Mohave Desert in 1844, is common on most of 

 the deserts in the southern part of the Great Basiu, from California to 

 Utah, usually occurring on gravelly soil. It is of slight value as a food 

 plant for stock, being devoured by some mules and horses. On the 

 east slope of Walker Pass it ranges up from the Mohave Desert to an 

 altitude of 1,430 meters (4,700 feet). 



Chorizanthe rigida. 



This singular little plant flourishes on the hottest gravel beds of the 

 hottest deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and southwestern Utah, 

 where it flowers in the early spring. It is the only species besides the 

 creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) that grows on many of the black peb- 

 ble beds which become so hot in the sun that all ordinary plants would 

 be baked in a few moments. It was recorded in the following locali- 

 ties: 



CALIFORNIA. 



Panamint Valley. — Common in places. 

 Death Valley. — Common on the gravel slopes. 



NEVADA. 



Amargosa Desert. — Common, and over large areas the only plant 

 growing with the Larrea on the hot pebble beds. 



Grapevine Canon. — Common, coming up from the northwest arm of 

 Death Valley and ranging upward on the southwest slope of Mount 

 Magruder as high as 1,830 meters (6,000 feet). 



Oasis Valley. — Rather common. 



Indian Spring Valley. — Common on the black pebble beds. 



UTAH. 



Santa Clara Valley. — Common on the warm gravel shrpes. 



Platanus occidentalis. 



The sycamore was not found by us in the Great Basin, but is common 

 in southern California. It grows in considerable abundance in the 

 valley and gorge that the road follows in leading up from Caliente 

 toward Walker Basin (on the west slope of the divide), where it ranges 

 up from the valley to an altitude of 820 meters (2,700 feet). It was 

 common also in the upper part of Cajon Pass in the San Bernardino 

 Mountains, where it was coming into leaf March 30. 



Betula occidentalis. 



The western birch is common along some of the mountain streams on 

 the west side of Oweus Valley at the foot of the Sierra. 



