
414 THE SYLVA OF MONTANA. 
OnEGON Yew ( Taxus brevifolia). The Yew, first met with 
on the east slope of the Cœur d’Alene Mountains was there 
low and prostrate like 7. Canadensis, but became larger on 
the west side, attaining two feet in diameter and sixty feet 
in height, exactly resembling that of the coast. It does not 
pass Lake Cœur d’Alejie. ` The elevation of the east slope 
of these mountains is much greater than of the west, which - 
accounts for the dwarfing of this, as well as of Abies Mer- 
tensiana and A. grandis. 
DISTRIBUTION OF THE FORESTS, ETC., WITH FACTS RELA- 
TING TO PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 
The configuration of the country traversed, as well as its 
productions, climate, ete., naturally divide it into four sec- 
tions, which have limits closely connected with those of the 
geological formations. A closer exploration would perhaps 
also separate these into a larger number, but I propose now 
to speak of them chiefly in connection with the distribution 
of the forests, which everywhere indicates to a great extent 
that of the smaller plants and animals also. 
Hesperian Region.*—From the Rocky Mountain summit, 
east to Milk river, the country, although the prairie vastly 
predominates, is crossed by the easterly ranges of the Great 
Cordillera, upon which are found several trees peculiarly 
western, with some eastern species commingled. Though 
low where the Missouri breaks through, the ouni rise 
toa great height in the distance, and are said to be well 
wooded on many portions. Of this we had evidence in the 
large quantity of coniferous timber covering the rocky hills 
and bluffs, from above Milk river nearly to the Judith.t Its 
growth was limited only by the prevalence of fires wherever 
E uli RAUS Sahl c E 
nag my article in the Smithsonian Report rt, 1858, I called this the Paducan, but as that 
is preoceup 
in Kentu I now pro: se that here vas and disk oe 
cky, p po gi neg Wyo for the 




