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BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN SOUTHERN UTAH. 



The destructive effects of exclusive sheep grazing on the native 

 forage grasses, was manifest in a disagreeable prevalence of the 

 common yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), wherever the herds had 

 been long stationed. On other hill slopes the entire vegetation 

 was usurped by a bushy perennial umbelliferous plant. Ligusticum 

 Scopulorum Gray (No. 82), which alone seemed capable of with- 

 standing the destructive effects of close grazing ; possibly its pro- 

 tection is due to some nauseous quality serving to keep the sheep 

 herds at a distance. 



On account of the severity of the weather, and the great depth 

 of winter snow, this mountain section is abandoned in the winter 

 for the warmer, though less productive sage-brush lowlands. No 

 attempt has yet been made to establish permanent settlements 

 here for the cultivation of the rich soil, though apparently admir- 

 ably fitted for the growth of the hardier small grains and root 



After spending a few days very pleasantly in the rude homes of 

 these hospitable herders, I returned to Cedar city, by a very direct 

 trail, leading down the steepest part of the mountain slope. On 

 this route I was fortunate in securing good fruiting specimens of 

 Astragalus megacarpus Gray (No. 51), hitherto only known from 

 NuttalPs original specimens. 



On this same trip my attention was particularly directed to the 

 two species of Rocky mountain balsam, Abies grandis Lindl., and 

 Abies eoncolor Engel. ined. ; in regard to which so much needless 

 confusion has arisen. I here found the two species growing not 

 far distant from one another, and exhibiting plainly their distinct- 

 ive characters (as trees if not as herbarium specimens). Thus 

 we may note Abies grandis with a more strict habit, narrower 

 leaves, smooth bark (at all sizes) and deep purple cones, more ex- 

 clusively confined to high elevations. Per contra; Abies eoncolor, 

 less pyramidal in shape, with much broader leaves, rough fur- 

 rowed bark (in old trees) and apple-green cylindrical cones, found 

 growing at much lower elevations on the mountain slope, and less 

 exclusively confined to moist ground. It is to be hoped that this 

 latter species may soon be introduced into cultivation when its or- 

 namental qualities can be more fully developed. Succeeding my 



frequency and copiousness. Dark thunder clouds hovering about 

 the distant mountains to the east which they illuminated with the 



