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To commence with the Ranunculaceae, Swift creek. A white flowered marsh 
we notice first the purple Clematis (C. marigold (Caltha leptosepala) is found 
douglasii,) which grows abundantly in near creeks and ditches, it is said to be 
open ground on the grassy slopes at the an excellent p<^herb, but we never tested 
base of the mountains. It is unlike any- its qualities in this direction. Finally, 
thing else, but we have also its variety there is a beautiful exumple of the blue 
ro/6a, the flowers of which have dull columbine (Aquilegia casrulea,) which is 
pink taking the place of purple — and the so abundant high up on the slopes of the 
example of the variety is decidedly more Sangre de Cristo range; and a specimen 
wooly than that representing the type, of the red and yellow columbine (A. ca- 
Then we have the lilac tinged Anemone nadensis.) This last came from near 
(A. patens var. nuttalliana.,) the first Buena Vista, and was obtained by Mr. 
flower of spring, which affords so plenti- F. W. Cusack, but Mrs. Cusack tells me 
ful a feast to the early bees, clustering she found the same species some years 
on its golden anthers. The flowers of ago near Colony creek, in our county, 
this plant appear before the leaves, thus notes. 
reversing the order of things in most Probably the number af animals known 
other plants. The genus Ramiculus — to exist in Colorado is not half of those 
the buttercups, is represented by three yet to be discovered, but it will doubtless 
species. R. cvmbalaria expands its small surprise many to know how large a num- 
yellow flowers in great abundance in ber have already been found. The books 
damp places by the roadside near Ula, it of the C. B. A., up to January 1st, 1889, 
is the only common buttercup in the contain records of the following, all 
valley. Another nearly similar kind, but found in the state: Mammals, forty and 
taller and having the stem-leaves deeply five varieties; Birds, 315 and 47 varieties; 
divided, comes from the neighborhood Reptiles, 4; Fishes, 2; Molusca (snails 
of Beckwith mountain; it is called Ranu- and slugs) 56 and 11 vaieties; Coleoptera 
cuius rhomboideus. The third is an (beetles,) 476 and 12 varieties; Neuropte- ' 
aquati$ plant, with finely divided leaves, and Trichoptera, (dragon flies, caddis 
and white flowers, and so far has not flies etc. ) 29; Hymenoptera, (ants, bees, 
been found in the valley, although it is wasps, ichneumons etc.,) 53; Orthoptera 
known in Custer county. The example (grasshoppers and crickets,) 108 and one 
of this (R. aquatilis var. trichophyllus) is variety; Butteflies, 186 and 27 varieties; 
from the Hardscrabble. Two plants Moths, 573 and 4 varieties; Thy sanura, 1; 
bearing spikes of conspicuous blue flow- Homoptera (plant lice etc.,) 23; Diptera 
ers, superficially not unlike, are the (two winged flies,) 55; Heteroptera (plant j 
monkshood (Aconitum columbianum) bugs,) 23; Arachnida (spiders etd.,) 34; * 
and the larkspur (Delphinium scopulo- Myri^poda (centipedes,) 1; Crustacea o| 
rum.) Both of these are abundant near (freshwater shrimps etc.,) 10; Annelida 
