185 



Dcsc}'i2)ilon. — Leaves li to 3 inclies long, ovate (sometimes broader above), or 

 oblong-ovate, blunt or Avitli sharp point, \vetlge-sli;ii»e(l at the base; margin with 

 small tectb of two sizes ; smooth (or nearly so) al)ove, more or less downy on the 

 under surface. Catkins bearing the seed (nutlets) oblong, } to I inch long; seeds 

 small (-,-'2 of an inch long), ovato, very broad at upper cud, and with a wing-likc, 

 tliickeucd margin. 



7G. — Ahius oblong ifoJi a, Torrey. 



One of tLe largest deciduous trees of the soutliern Eocky Mouiitaiu 

 regioD, growing abuiidautly on nearly all tbe mountain streams and 

 very close to the water. It occurs in the ranges of soutliern Arizona, 

 extending to ISTew Mexico as far as tbe Rio Grande (southward into 

 Mexico, and also in ranges of southern California). Forty to 60 feet, 

 with a trunk from 2 to 3 feet in diameter. The wood is light, soft, and 

 brittle, decaying rapidly, and of little value except for fuel. 



Description. — Leaves commouly 1^ to 3^ inches long, and I to 2 inches wjde (excep- 

 tionally 4 to 6 inches long), lance- to oblong-laace-shaped (sometimes ovate), apex 

 acute or with a long narrow point ; base wedge-shaped ; margin (often rather coarsely) 

 cut with glandular teeth of two sizes ; slightly hairy below, especially on the veins, 

 smooth above ; leaf-stems J to -} incli long. Fertile catkins ovate-oblong, i to f inch 

 long; seeds (nutlets) ovate— very broad above, about of an inch long, with a nar- 

 row wing-like margin. A handsome tree. 



77. — Speckled Alder. Hoary Alder. Black Alder. (AJnus 



incana^ Willdenow.) 



A shrub or small tree, 15 to 20 feet in height^ with a slender trunk? 

 seldom more than 3 to 6 inches in diameter. It occurs along water- 

 courses and on the borders of swamps in the Eocky Mountain region, 

 ranging from Colorado to Montana and northward (extending eastward 

 to the Atlantic; also in Europe. A well-marked variety of this species 

 [virescens^ Watson) is found in the mountain ranges of the Pacific coast 

 from southern California to British Columbia and northward). The 

 wood is light and soft, and is used quite extensively for fuel in brick- 

 making. 



Description. — Leaves 2 to 4 (exceptionally 5) inclies long, and 1\ to inches wide, 

 oval to broadly ovate, w^ith rounded or heart-shaped base and more or less pointed 

 apex; margin finely toothed, or with coarse teetli, wliicli are themselves cut witli 

 smaller teeth ; young leaves velvety on both sides, but witb age becoming pale, and 

 retaining the pubescence only (or chiefly) on the under surface (variety vitescens has 

 leaves smooth on both sides) ; leaf-stems and recent shoot rusty downy. Fertile cat- 

 kins ovate, i to inch long; fruit flat, orbicular, with thin margin mostly on tw^o 

 sides. Bark of brances reddivsh or grayish brown, with numerous light-colored dots. 



SALTCINE^ : WILLOW FAMILY.* 



78, — Salix amygclaloides, Anderson. 



A small tree, found throughout the Kocky Mountain region on the 

 banks of streams (also eastward through the northern United States); 



"See Willows, in list of shrubs, page 196. 



