THE FORESTS OF THE ALPS OF DAUPHINV 
THE FORESTS OE THE ALPS 
OE DAUPHINY. 
The mountains nearest to Lyons are 
those of Dauphiny, lying in the direc- 
tion of Grenoble, and are met even 
before the town is reached, as grand 
ridges of limestone rocks rising to a 
height of 6,000 feet, continuing the 
Alps of jura, and embracing such resorts 
as the Grande Chartreuse, the Goulets, 
and Pont-en-Royans. Over against 
this first crest of the Alps, upon the 
far side of the Valley of Graisivaudan, 
where the Isere rushes foaming from 
its rock-bound course in Tarentaise 
and Maurienne, stand the huge granite 
masses of Belledonne, Taillefer, and Les 
Sept Saux, which rise to nearly 10,000 
feet and carry the first alpine glaciers. 
The forests at the foot or covering 
the flanks of these mountains are formed 
of various kinds of trees. The common 
Oaks [Qicercus pedic7iciilatiis and sessili- 
flord) form extensive woods in the val- 
leys and upon the lower slopes. Both 
diminish rapidly in growth as they 
ascend, until the last Oaks, at a height 
of some 4,500 feet, are but stunted 
bushes. The Beech is plentiful upon 
the slopes facing north, either by itself { 
in dense forests, or mingled pictur- 
esquely with the Pine Trees. Other 
forest trees commonly found with the 
Oak and the Beech are tlie Ash, the 
Mountain Elm, the Limes (Tilia platy- 
phyllos^ parvtfolia^ and intei^medui)^ 
the last a cross between the two first ; 
the Birch, the Alder [Ahiiis glutuwsa 
and inca7id)^ which follow the alluvial 
soil beside the mountain torrents, along 
with Poplars and Willows. Of smaller 
growth is the Hornbeam, which, mixed 
with Oaks, is found in considerable 
quantity, its wood yielding the best of 
fuel, while upon the lighter granitic 
soils the Chestnut grows in open grassy 
spots. The Walnut is found princi- 
pally as a cultivated tree up to nearly 
3,000 feet. The great Maples [Acer 
platanoides^pseiido-Plata7ius^ and opidi- 
foliujn) are seen here and there up to 
about 3,600 feet. The woods arc 
adorned in spring and autumn by the 
flowers and berries of the Mountain 
Ash, the White Beam Tree, and its 
ally Pyf^iis scandica. These three forms 
of Pyrus extend beyond the tree-limit, 
maintaining their growth as low shrubs, 
minglmg with the rosy flower-clusters 
and large crimson fruits of the Bastard 
Quince [Pyrus Chaince7nespilus)^Abii/s 
viridis^ and the mountain Rhododen- 
drons and Cotoneasters. 
Two sorts of Conifers only — the Sil- 
ver Eir and the Norway Spruce — form 
forests like those of Vercors and the 
mountains of Allevard— the last refuge 
of bears in Erance. The Norway Spruce 
is plentiful in the forests of the Grande 
Chartreuse and Savoy, whereas the 
Pines covering Chaurousse, Taillefer, 
and Belledonne are mostly the Silver 
Eir. Next in importance is the Scotch 
Eir, which occurs in isolated groups 
and masses here and there upon the 
poor and sandy soils of the lower slopes, 
but poor as compared with those of 
Scotland and of Riga, which are now 
used in all the newer plantations, for 
their superior growth and stature. The 
Larch is also found singly or in isolated 
groups, with the Swiss Stone Pine and 
