24 SOUTHWESTERN NEVADA AND EASTERN CALIFORNIA. 
pinon, is good fuel. Only exceptionally are the trunks large enough 
for mining timbers other than lagging. The cones of the pinon in- 
case delicious nuts, which are carefully gathered by the Indians for 
winter food. The vividly green mountain mahogany (Gerocarpus 
ledifolius) is associated with these trees on the highest peaks. 
The most striking plant of the area is the yucca {Yucca arbo- 
rescens), commonly called the w% Joshua tree." It grows in open groves 
on the upper alluvial slopes and the lower lava mesas. Stiff spiny 
leaves are thickly set on the peculiarly branching stalk, which 
reaches a maximum height of 30 feet. Associated with the yucca are 
various species of cacti, including the prickly pear, the barrel cactus, 
and several branching forms. The sagebrush is widely distributed 
in the mountains, while the ''creosote brush" (Larrea tridentata) 
and related shrubs occupy the lower alluvial slopes. In April and 
May the red geranium, the yellow dandelion, the purple horsemint, 
and the white primrose enliven the monotonous greenish gray of the 
desert shrubbery. 
Grateful spot< of green mark the springs. Here the gooseberry, 
wild rose, poppy- honeysuckle, wild rye grass, and cane thrive, while 
willow bushes and oak shrubs grow in thickets around some of the 
springs. At Poison Spring, in the Amargosa Range, the rock's are cov- 
ered by the dainty maidenhair fern. In Cottonwood Canyon and at 
the ranches in Oasis Valley willow and cottonwood trees grow to a 
height of 40 feet. 
Sufficient grass for -cant forage grows on the upper alluvial slopes 
and in some valleys in the mountains. Burros will live almost any- 
where in the area, but horses do poorly on the best of feed. The most 
nutritious grass grows in -mall bunches and is commonly called " sand 
grass." The sun's heat rww< it in summer and in consequence a 
scant supply is available throughout the year. The grass around the 
springs, usually called --alt grass" (Distichlis spirata), is of little 
value to work horses. The white sage (Eurotia lanata) grows in the 
southern half of the area. Sheep are said to thrive on it and horses 
eat it with apparent relish. 
CULTURE. 
INDUSTRIES. 
Prospecting and mining are practically the only industries, and 
nearly every person within the area surveyed is dependent directly or 
indirectly on these pursuits. The miners are segregated in the towns 
and camps; the prospectors range from one group of hills to an- 
other. At the Longstreet and Breen ranches in the Kawich Range, 
the Staininger and Indian ranches in the Armagosa Range, and at 
several of the springs in Oasis Valley small acreages are irrigated and 
hay. melons, potatoes, and other farm products are raised. The 
finer detrital material of the valleys is an excellent soil, but water for 
