THE CONDOR 
1 Vol. Ill 
152 
Along the route whole canyon-sides are frequenti}" found grown up to man- 
zanita and a tough, prickly brush, Ceanotfms cordulatiis, and the presence of these 
shrubs is usually indicative of a shallow, rocky soil. The deer-brush {Cemiothus 
velittijius), willowy in its nature and supporting fragrant white plumes, grows 
abundantly in places, and is replaced by willow thickets in the higher altitudes. 
This deer-brush is also a favorite feeding-ground of the numerous warblers and 
sparrows. Throughout the forest and in most open areas Chamcebatia foliohsa 
PHOTO BY C. BARLOW. 
TYPICAL PATCH OF CHAM^BATfA FOLIOLOSA IN THE SIERRAS. 
grows luxuriantly. It is a pungent, rose-like shrub, known locally as “mountain 
misery” and affords secure nesting sites for Pipilo macrtlafus megalonvx, Jtinco Iive- 
malis ihurberi and Helminthophila ntbricapilla gtiituralis. 
The grade from Placerville is gradual and the road for the most part passes 
through a beautiful timber-growth and approaches the x\merican River at River- 
ton, whence it follows the river or its tributaries almost to the summit. After 
crossing the river, exposures of granite along the road are numerous and great 
patches and hillsides of Ceaiwthns cordulahis, — a sharply-spiked shrub, — are much 
in evidence. This brush is an abomination to the collector, but frequently one 
may walk on top of the matted growth for quite a distance, but it is a thing to be 
avoided when possible. 
The most alluring portion of the Placerville-Tahoe road is encountered a few 
miles before reaching the summit, for here the mountain meadows begin, traver- 
sed by numerous brooks and bordered by a luxuriant growth of tamarack saplings. 
