

THE SAGE-BRUSH. 359 
In early spring many herbs, and even delicate flowers, 
may be found among the sage brushes. Some of these plants 
are exceedingly curious in appearance. Among them are 
numerous species of the difficult genus Hrioganum; Astra- 
galus and Dalea are also frequent, with Bigelovia, Linosy- 
ris, and other species of composite. Beneath the artemisia 
burrow innumerable frisky lizards, chipmunks, and rabbits 
(Lepus callotis). The latter have the uncomplimentary ad- 
jective, “jackass” prefixed to their name, which is a pointed 
reference to the length of their ears. Then there is the 
cowardly coyoté, always semi-translucent with hunger. Be- 
sides these four-footed creatures, the sage hen is frequently 
seen, one of the dainties of the travellers table. One never 
recovers from his surprise that there should be so much life 
where apparently there is so little to support it. It is said 
that the animals live upon each other; but there must be 
unity to start from, and what that unity finds to sustain it 
is most questionable. 
The artemisia covers the greater part of the Interior 
Basin between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. 
It is found from Idaho and Montana to the confines of Mex- 
ico. It grows, not only upon the plains and lowlands, but 
upon the mountains to an altitude of seven or eight thou- 
sand feet. In travelling one is rarely out of sight of it. 
Above is the clear sky; below, and on all sides, the omni- 
present sage. 
The uses of the plant it must be confessed are limited. 
Its first and most obvious purpose is to serve as a substitute 
for fuel. The word substitute is used advisedly. It cannot 
be dignified by the name of fuel, but does very well in the 
absence of anything better, and is pined for when, as often 
happens, there is nothing as good. Rough fences are some- 
times made of the uprooted shrubs, or miry places in the 
highway filled up with them and then covered with earth. 
Stock will feed upon it when nothing else is obtainable, as 
doubtless will the Indians, who are not at all particular as 
