THE PRAIRIES. 27 



ing. It is considered, par excellence, the " bunch-grass " of the 

 ranges, and sometimes grows so thickly as to form an excellent turf, 

 giving promise of usefulness under cultivation for pastures, though 

 too short for hay. Trifolium scorpioides, though only locally met 

 with, is not uncommon in partial shade, under oak trees; it has a 

 large, subfnsiform perennial root, and may prove worthy of cultiva- 

 tion; its flowers are fragrant with a peculiar and characteristic odor. 

 These ranges are designated annual ranges, because the forage plants, 

 now abundant and characteristic, are annual species of short life, in 

 contradistinction to the perennial ranges met with more frequently in 

 the coast-bluff section, where danthonia, tufted hair-grass, and other 

 perennial grasses still abound. 



Weeds. — With the exception of the two prevalent annual grasses, 

 rat-tail fescue and small barley grass, weeds are comparatively rare 

 en the open ranges north of Cummings. Annual weeds are practi- 

 cal^ restricted to a few species of Bceri (the genus next best repre- 

 sented as regards number of individuals), Lupinus, Achyrachwna, 

 Agoseris, Microcarpus, and a few others. Hawkbit (Hypochceris 

 glabra) is establishing itself in places, and is likely to cause serious 

 injury to the range pasture. "Tacalote" (Centaur ea melilensis) is 

 common and very troublesome on ranges near Ukiah; its prickly 

 ' ' burs " are apt to decrease the value of wool. Silvery hair grass (Aira 

 caryopliylla) and quaking grass (Briza minor) are common at Elk 

 Prairie, and fine hair grass (Aira capiUaris) occurs on Bair's sheep 

 range at Redwood Creek; these plants are valueless for forage, and 

 occupy space which should be filled by useful species. 



Cocklebur (Xantkium canadense) is reported from the Traver 

 range, near Cummings, a few plants having been noticed in 1876, 

 which are supposed to have been introduced with cattle from the 

 Sacramento Valley. According to Mr. Joseph Clarke, it has been 

 exterminated. Broncho grass (Bromus maximus gussoni) first ap- 

 peared on the Burns place, near Cahto, in 1879 or 1880, according to 

 Mr. Clarke; it is now spreading throughout the region. If cut before 

 the heads mature, this grass will make good silage, and at the same 

 time its rapid spread will be checked. 



Rib grass (Plantago lanceolata) has become abundant on some ranges 

 and is said to have reduced the carrying capacity from 4 or 5 acres 

 to 10 acres to a head. 



Perennial weeds are less frequently noticed, wild sunflower 

 (Wyethia) being as common as any. Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), 

 perhaps the most pernicious of all perennial range weeds, has found 

 its way into some of the ranges. 



THE PRAIRIES. 



The word "prairie," as used in Mendocino and Humboldt coun- 

 ties, may be broadly defined as any small open space among the 



