THE BOTANY OF THE ROUTE. 
27 
boreal families of plants. They do not generally obstruct these forests so much as the pre¬ 
ceding group, and, except close to the ocean, they can be easily penetrated along the uplands. 
Probably the most abundant shrub is the “sallal,” (Gaultheria Shalon,) important to the 
Indians from bearing a fine berry which forms much of their winter stock of provisions. 
This fruit has, when fully ripe, much the same flavor as a summer apple. The sallal is not 
uncommon in the fir forests, where, however, it grows only one or two feet high, while near 
the coast it attains the height of eight feet. Its large, dark evergreen leaves and rose-colored 
flowers are very ornamental, and in general appearance somewhat resemble the eastern large 
laurel, (Kalmia,) which it here takes the place of. 
Three species of huckleberry have the same range. The first (Vaccinium ovatum) is ever¬ 
green, with leaves much like a myrtle, and flowers from January to May, producing a black, 
sweet berry, which remains on it all winter. 
The second, (Y. ovalifolium, ) with small deciduous leaves, bears a red acid fruit, tasting much 
like a cherry. The third (Y. parvifolium) bears a blue acid berry less agreeable in flavor. 
Three kinds of gooseberry grow with these, but their fruit is not eatable, (Ribes laxiflorum, 
BRACTEOSUM, and LACUSTRE.) 
Another shrub, allied to the huckleberries, produces a dry capsule, instead of a berry, 
(Menziesia ferruginea.) 
The most remarkable shrub of this region is the Echinopanax horridum, allied to the Azalea 
of the eastern States, and, like it, called “Devil’s Walking Stick.” Its elastic thorny stems, 
six feet high, and crowned at the top only by a number of very large leaves, shaped like those 
of a maple, are very unpleasant to encounter in the woods, as they are generally felt before 
they are seen in the damp thickets where they grow. 
A beautiful evergreen species of wax myrtle (Myrica Californica?) occurs rarely about salt 
marshes at the coast and straits, which seems near its most northern limit, as I never could find 
on it either flowers or fruit. 
I have already mentioned a group of plants which characterize the sphagnous swamps and 
cold springs at the coast as well as on the mountain tops, and in the most northern parts of the 
world, among which some are shrubby, (Yaccinium macrocarpon, Ledum palustre, Kalmia 
ANGUSTIFOLIA.) 
There is a remarkable scarcity of climbing shrubs in these forests—one only, a honeysuckle, 
(Lonicera occidentalis,) occurring rarely in the fir forests, though several herbaceous climbers 
assist in obstructing them, (Megarhiza Oregon a; Yicia gigantea, Lathyrus polyphyllus, and 
others.) 
The last group of shrubs to be mentioned is that growing on inundated river banks, often 
in the shade of poplars, and forming generally dense thickets. None of these are evergreen, 
and in winter these poplar woods become quite bare, while the adjoining forests are green 
above and below. 
I have referred to the many shrubby willows which form the first growth at the edge of the 
water, and are often partly submerged during most of the year. Next to these is found the 
red cornel, already mentioned, closely resembling one belonging to the northeastern States. 
Another species (C. pubescens) is less common in similar situations, and has a green stem. On 
ground a little higher, but below the summer inundation, grow two species of snowberry, 
Symphoricarpus.) Still higher grow the excellent salmonberry, (Rubus spectabilis, ) a kind of 
raspberry, with purple flowers and a yellow or seed fruit of delicious flavor. The crabapple, 
