NOTICES OF RARE PLA AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS WESTERN WYOMING, NOTICES OF RARE PLANTS DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES COLLECTED ON THE ROUTE OF THE NORTH-WESTERN WYOMING EXPEDITION UNDER CAPTAIN W. A. JONES, U. S. Engineer Corps, Department of the Platte. BY oh 0..0- PAREN. Syn SALEM: PRINTED AT THE SALEM PRESS. 1874. Missour BOTANICAL MBasatn Larsen | AMERICAN NATURALIST, VOL. Vill, 1874. BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. ’ Number 1. Havine been connected with the exploring expedition of Captain W. A. Jones into Northwestern Wyoming during the past season (1873), the botanical results have proved of such unexpected in- terest that I have obtained the permission of Captain Jones to anticipate the more detailed official report by preparing for imme- diate publication a brief sketch of the general botanical features of the region passed over, with notices of rare plants and descrip- tions of new species collected on the route. Fort Bripcer to Camp Brown. Leaving the point of rendez- vous at Fort Bridger on the 12th of June, our route followed a northeasterly course over Green River basin, thence skirting along the southern spurs of the Wind River range. The main conti- nental divide was crossed at South Pass. From this point fol- lowing a more direct northerly course we reached Camp Brown in the Wind River valley on July 1st. The chief botanical interest on this portion of our route was comprised in the many suggestive associations with the early dis- coveries of Nuttall nearly forty years previous. Though this route has been repeatedly traversed by exploring parties, lying in fact on the well-beaten track of western emigrant travel pre- vious to the construction of the Pacific Railroad, not a few of the plants then collected and described have remained up to this time desiderata in herbar Unusually copious spring rains previous to our journey had freshened the vegetation of these usually arid tracts, so that our necessarily slow and tedious marches, encumbered by a heavily laden wagon train, were enlivened (at least to the botanist) by unwonted verdure. Even the repulsive *‘ sage plains” and ‘ grease wood” flats, so monotonous and forbidding to the ordinary trav- eller, yielded up unexpected treasures of rare plants. Among these the evanescent annuals were in great profusion, including Cleome aurea Hook., Calyptridium roseum S. Watson, Ginothera Andina Nutt., Gnothera scapoidea Nutt., Astragalus Geyeri Gray, Astragalus pictus Gray, Chenactis Douglasii H. & A., Plantago (9-10) 4 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. Patagonica Jacq., Gilia inconspicua Dougl., and Oxytheca dendro- idea Nutt. In the moist grassy valley of Little Sandy were also found quite abundantly Capsella divaricata Walp. and Gentiana humilis Stev., heretofore overlooked by collectors in this region. Of perennial plants, serving somewhat to relieve the prevalent and monotonous growth of Artemisia, Tetradymia and Linosyris, comprising what is popularly known as “wild sage,” and the equally forbidding Chenopodiaceous shrubs confounded under the common term of ‘* grease-wood,” may be noted several species of Astragalus including lt. Purshii Dougl., A. lotiflorus Hook, A. glareosus Dougl., A. junceus Nutt., and now collected for the first time since Nuttall’s original discovery, A. pubentissimus Nutt. and A. flavus Nutt., the former a not uncommon roadside plant, and the latter quite abundant along the margins of dry ee courses, at the foot of steep clay buttes. On gravelly knolls adjoining Green River still another inter- esting Nuttallian plant was rediscovered, Tanacetum Nuttallii Torr. & Gray, and growing in close proximity with this was found Vesicaria Alpina Nutt., both probably near the original station of Nuttall. Nearly everywhere over this district in exposed situations we meet with Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt., forming dense silvery cushions, its close globular heads of flowers exhibiting a great variety of tints from pure white to dark brown. Almost equally abundant on gravelly slopes also occur Aplopappus acaulis Gray, and Astragalus simplicifolius Gray, presenting a neat contrast of colors in their bright yellow and blue flowers, resting in mats of dark green and silvery foliage. Quite constantly associated in growth with Astragalus flavus Nutt. is a showy asteroid plant with large white flowers, disposed in flattened summits surmounting the dull colored tomentose leaves. This plant, according to Dr. Gray, is closely allied to or perhaps identical with the Xylorhiza villosa Nutt. (Aster Xylorhiza Torr. & Gray). In view of the discrepancy in many respects between ae plant and that described by Nuttall, Dr. Gray has thought proper to characterize it as a new species, Aster Parr yi. Among other plants worthy of note in this district may be enumerated Delphinium Menziesii DC., Sisymbrium junceum Bieb., Viola Nuttallii Pursh, Cymopterus montanus Nutt., Cym- ses sea Gray, Antennaria dimorpha Nutt., Artemisia 10-11 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 5 pedatifida Nutt., Phlox longifolia Nutt., Phlox canescens Torr. & Gray, Castilleia parviflora Bong., Pentstemon humilis Nutt., and Gilia pungens Benth. i“ On reaching the higher ground forming the eastern rim of the Green River basin, which leads by an easy pass, at an average ele- vation of seven thousand feet above the sea level, from the Pacific to the Atlantic slope, the prevalent desert growth gives place to a vegetation partaking of a sub-alpine character. This district comprises the botanical localities designated by Nuttall as “dry and lofty hills in the central range of the Rocky Mountains.” Here accordingly we again come within the range of these early discoveries in re-collecting such choice plants as Draba Alpina L., var. densifolia, Lepidium montanum Nutt., Trifolium Andinwm Nutt., Trifolium gymnocarpon Nutt., Astragalus campestris Gray, Oxytropis lagopus Nutt., and Phlox bryoides Nutt. Here also we meet for the first time, probably near its south- eastern limits, the interesting Lewisia rediviva Pursh. This becomes much more abundant farther north in the Wind River valley, and we were thus afforded an opportunity to observe this plant through its flowering and fruiting stages, extending from the latter part of June to the middle of J uly. After this latter period its matured capsules are detached and blown away, leaving no trace of the plant exposed to view, till the following sprin develops the rosette of radical leayes, by which the Indians are guided in procuring their supplies of this palatable and nutritious root. Recent attempts have been made to introduce this showy plant into our gardens, where it would prove quite an acquisition. Shrubbery is here represented mainly by Rosacee, including Amelanchier Canadensis Torr. & Gray, Potentilla fruticosa L., Purshii tridentata DC., Ribes cereum Dougl., but we look in vain, in apparently favorable localities, for the forms so well known in the mountain range farther south in Colorado of Ribes deliciosus Torr., Oercocarpus parvifulius Nutt., or Jamesia Americana Torr. & Gray. The scanty pine growth includes chiefly Pinus flewilis James, with an occasional clump of Abies Douglasii Lindl, and Juniperus Virginiana L. The southeastern spurs of the Wind River range present a suc- cession of steep, grassy slopes agreeably interspersed with pine- clad ridges. Through numberless channels the mountain streams (11=12 6 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. collect their summer tribute of melted snow, and cleave their way to the lower valleys through deep gorges, disclosing in steep mural faces the structure and succession of the underlying, highly in- clined, rocky strata. The lower undulating slopes, forming the natural divides between the numerous watercourses tributary to the main valley of Wind River, form irregular ridges often pre- senting smooth tabled summits, bedded with rich grasses inter- spersed with gaily colored flowers. Conspicuous among the latter are the bright golden-yellow heads of Balsamorhiza Hookeri Nutt., and Balsamorhiza sagittata Nutt., growing promiscuously, the close similarity of their flowers being curiously contrasted with their diverse foliage; even in the latter case, however, a ten- dency to assimilate (perhaps due to hybridization) is occasionally observed, in which the sharply hastate leaves of the latter species are irregularly gashed to resemble forms of the other. Besides these everywhere obtrusive forms, we may also note as character- istic of this district Geranium Fremontii Torr., Arenaria congesta Nutt., Arenaria Hookeri Nutt., Astragalus campestris Gray, Oxy- tropis campestris L., Lupinus sericeus Pursh, Hedysarum Mack- enzii Rich., Eriogonum flavum Nutt., and C alochortus Gunnisoni Watson. On al! the high rocky ridges of this section a charming variety of Phiow Douglasiit Hook. is met with, forming close, flat- tened cushions, and a prosasion of pure porcelain-white fragrant flowers. Along the borders of streams, with the prevalent willow growth, we find Betula occidentalis Hook.. Alnus incana Willd., and in the’ larger valleys Eleagnus argenteus Nutt. On the steeper mountain slopes, before alluded to as presenting an agreeable alternation of meadow and woodland, the smooth grassy expanses of the higher elevations, reaching an altitude of nine thousand feet above the sea level, reveal a distinctly subal- pine vegetation. We accordingly here encounter such well known forms as Sazifraga nivalis L., Eritrichium aretioides DC., Pole- montium confertum Gray, Lloydia serotina Reich., while appar- ently more distinctly characteristic of this particular range we note Townsendia spathulata Nutt., Townsendia scapigera D. C. Eaton and Bupleurum ranunculoides L. _ In the wooded districts Pinus fleailis is irregularly mingled with Pinus ponderosé and Abies Douglasii, while Pinus contorta forms * the pose exclusive growth of the interior ridges and alpine : ) BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 7 valleys. After passing the first series of steep ridges, which gen- erally present an abrupt escarpment towards the main axis of the range, the interior valleys are spread out in the form of irregular basins, bordered by deep pine woods. Within these timbered recesses we occasionally encounter small grassy. parks, or alpine bogs occupied by a close, clumpy growth of willows. Through these, course clear mountain streams generally hidden from view by overhanging vegetation. During the season of melting snow in the early summer months, these meadows frequently conceal ‘treacherous bogs greatly impeding travel, while small ponds and occasional permanent lakes are notinfrequent. In this variety of surface exposure, limited in every direction by irregular, rocky ridges, variously set off with extensive snow drifts, we have all the conditions of a most attractive mountain fore. We accordingly find here in somewhat confused association the following plants:—Draba Alpina L., Lup: dcespitosus Nutt., pestris L., Oxytropis viscida Nutt.? (or a spe es near it), Sedum agai Ph., Sedum rhodanthum Gray, Actinella grandiflora , Antennaria dioica L., Senecio lugens Rich., Ialmia labios i Synthyris plantaginea Benth., Mertensiu paniculata ’ Dougl., Gilia nudicaulis Gray, Androsace septentr ionalis L., Prim- ula Parryi Gray, Gentiana humilis Stev., Phacelia sericea Gray. In succeeding articles the flora of the Owl Creek range and of the high mountain district between the Big-Horn and Yellowstone * basins will be noticed. (13-14) Number 2. Wixp River, which in pursuing a general southeast course drains the entire eastern slope of the Wind River range, also receives from the east and north the drainage of an extensive mountain district, to which, as a whole, no distinctive name has yet been applied. To the most southeastern extension of this moun- tain system the name of Owl Creek range has been locally applied. At the lowest point, where this merges into the open and elevated - plains, the main stream, turning sharply to the north, loses the name of Wind River to assume that of the Big Horn, tributary to the Lower Yellowstone. Thus it happens that the same stream, under another name, in doubling on its upper course from south- east to north, receives lower down the eastern drainage of the Owl Creek range, and the broken mountain district to the northwest, through the little known Big Horn tributaries of Owl Creek, Gray Bull and Stinking Water. Our route, instead of following down the main valley, crossed Wind River some distance above the sharp bend above referred to, thence crossing a low spur of the Owl Creek range, and skirt- ing near the base of the high mountains to the west, passed Owl Creek, Gray Bull and several southern tributaries of Stinking ater, to ascend a main branch of the latter stream to its source (102) BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS, IN WESTERN WYOMING. 9 in the high divide separating its waters from those of the Yellow- stone basin. On this route the chief point of botanical interest centred in the comparatively little explored district of Owl Creek range, the valleys of Owl Creek, Gray Bull and Stinking Water, and the high mountain region at the sources of the last named stream. We accordingly note briefly in their order of passing the features of botanical interest presented on our route. The valley of Wind River, as its name suggestively implies, is especially subject to the sweep of fierce northwest winds, which necessarily leave their impress upon the native vegetation. Thus everywhere on the uplands and low open valleys there is a close uniform growth of stunted grasses, or the dull moorish aspect presented by the constantly recurring Artemisia. On saline flats the view is hardly improved by a ranker and more verdant growth of the spine-clad Sarcobatus; everywhere there is a monotonous recurrence of the same forms of vegetation, comprising such only as are capable of withstanding the combined unfavorable influ- ences of a parched soil during the season of summer growth, followed by an early and rigorous winter. Only in moist, shel- tered bottom-lands do we meet with anything like a rank vegeta- tion, made up of dense willow thickets, occasional copses of Shepherdia argentea Nutt., with irregular scattering groves of Populus balsamea. Especially abundant in all damp, rich, alluvial tracts in this region we meet with the ‘“ wild licorice” (Glycyrrhiza lepidota Nutt.), here very commonly infested with a parasitic fun- gus, T'richobasis leguminosarum Link. n the series of steep bluffs bounding the main river bottoms, the deep gullied ravines offer a greater variety of soil and expos- ure favorable to a diversified and peculiar vegetation. Here, accordingly, among other rarities we meet with a well marked new species of Astragalus, distinguished by its loose straggling habit, growing in light loamy soil, and sending up a loose spike of white flowers which rarely mature fruit. Prof. Gray has characterized this species (No. 65 of the distributed collection) as A. ventorum, n. ™g (see appendix). Here also along the slopes of high gypseous es we meet quite abundantly with a new composite, Schkuhria teins yschkuhvia) integrifolia Gray, n. sp. (see appendix, No. 0); of a habit and foliage quite unlike any other species of this genus. On reaching the broken foot-hills of the Owl Creek range, both (103) 10 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. the scenery and vegetation became much more diversified ; and rounded slopes of disintegrated metamorphic rocks, sharp crests of upheaved strata, and extensive exposures of the brick-red Tri- assic formation, present in their varied exposures all the condi- tions for a varied flora. We accordingly here meet with such choice plants as Stanleya viridiflora Nutt., Oxytropis campestris L., var.? (No. 88), Aplopappus multicaulis Nutt., Tanacetum capt- tatum Nutt. Farther up on the mountain slopes the increased elevation is evidenced by greater freshness of vegetation, the dull brown of the lowlands giving place to a rich soft verdure. Constant run- ning streams, however, are still rare, as the altitude is not suffi- cient to afford heavy deposits of winter snow to keep up a supply of water through the dry summer months. As we again encounter pine woods composed mainly of Abies Douglasii and Pinus flexilis, the associated undergrowth is again brought to view in thick, matted growths of Arctostaphylos wva-urst, and occasional patches of Berberis Aquifolium. Still there is a characteristic absence of many forms such as one would naturally look for in such local- ities, neither scrub oak, Rubus nor Symphoricarpus being here represented. Very common and attractive over all this district are the bright, showy flowers of a species of Lupinus (No. 54) allied to ZL. sericeus Ph.? but difficult to refer t6 any described species; here also Hedysarum boreale Nutt. is conspicuous, with its slender spikes of nodding pink flowers, occasionally inclining to a dull pinkish-white. On the crests of the dividing ridge at- taining an elevation of nine thousand feet there are extensive exposures of an arenaceous limestone, presenting tabled summits and perpendicular mural faces, with irregular broken talus at their bases. These localities offer not only very attractive points of view of the adjoining country, but afford a rare field for the bota- nist. Here in rock crevices was found the charming dwarf colum- bine, which, in compliment to the enterprising commander of the expedition, and its first actual discoverer, I have named Aquilegia Jonesii, n. sp. (see appendix, No.3). This species, which is most nearly allied to A. vulgaris L.,is sufficiently distinguished by its dwarf size and close czspitose habit, as well as other well marked | characters indicated in the description referred to. It would no doubt prove highly ornamental in cultivation, but unfortunately at the period of our collection (in July) the fruit was just maturing, (104) BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 11 and it was only by diligent search that sufficient late flowering specimens were met with to complete the description. Besides this choice addition to our native flora, other plants worthy of note may be enumerated, viz: Anemone multifida DC., eae e arctica Stev., Arenaria Rossii R. Br., Lupinus minimus — Dougl., Oxytropis campestris L., Spirea cespitosa Nutt., Saxifraga Siiibent Torr., Saxifraga debilis Engel., Phlox Douglasii Hook., Polemonium confertum Gray, Androsace chamejasme L., Castilleia pallida Kth., Lloydia serotina Reich. The peculiarities of the timber growth in this section will be more fully dwelt on in a subsequent article ; it is sufficient here to note the regular order of succession everywhere noticeable as dis- tinct zones of arborescent growth. Thus the lower mountain slopes are occupied by scattered groves of Pinus ponderosa and Abies Douglasii, succeeded higher up by Pinus flexilis and Pinus contorta, while the highest ridges support a dense forest of Abies Engelmanni. In descending the northeastern slope of the Owl Creek range, forming the western edge of the Big Horn basin, we come upon principal tributary streams draining the high mountain region to the west. In all these valleys, including Owl Creek, Gray Bull and Stinking Water, a uniform character of vegetation is observ- able, constituting a very distinct botanical district. On the steep gravelly ridges bounding the valley of Owl Creek was first noticed a very remarkable species of Stanleya, distinguished from all other known species of this interesting genus by the dense tomentose covering of its stem and foliage, and the sharply hastate form of its leaves. I have accordingly named it Stanleya tomentosa, n. sp. (see appendix, No. 13). This plant, then (July 20), in the full glory of its dense spike of cream-colored flowers, formed a con- spicuous feature in the floral landscape. In this same locality was also found a new species of Phelipwea, which on account of its bright yellow color I have named Phelipewa lutea, n. sp. (see ap- pendix, No. 202). This plant, which is met with growing in close proximity to the allied species, Phelipwa fasciculata Nutt., fur- nished an opportunity for a direct comparison of fresh living speci- mens, thus affording a more satisfactory means of distinguishing specific difference than could be derived from the dry faded plants. Along the borders of a dry ravine was collected a yellow flowered Astragalus with nearly mature fruit. This, on a cursory te _ (105 12 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. noted as a form of A. flavus Nutt., previously collected on Green River. Prof. Gray, to whom specimens were sent under the above name, recognized its distinct character. I have therefore ventured to compliment the actual discoverer, as well as the chief elucidator of this difficult genus of western North American plants, by nam- ing it Astragalus Grayi, n. sp. (see appendix). A side trip by a detached topographical party to the rugged peak named by Capt. Jones ** Washakee’s Needles” revealed, in a few fragments brought back by the party, a more distinct alpine flora than any yet seen, including Douglasia montana Gray, and a most singular depressed Townsendia, with its large single heads immersed in a globular mass of lanulose coated leaves. This, as far as the imperfect material affords the means of judging, is probably an undescribed species, to which the name of Townsendia condensata, n. sp., may be provisionally applied. In the lower mountain ranges there is a succession of charming subalpine meadows, set off with limpid lakes and traversed by clear ice-cold brooks, which, among other well known plants, furnished the following additions to our list, viz: Astragalus oroboides Hornem., @nothera breviflora Torr. and Gray, Aplopappus inuloides Torr. and Gray, Artemisia incompta Nutt., and the singularly neat European species Myosotis alpestris L. In the valley of Stinking Water (a most inappropriate name for a clear mountain stream abounding in the finest trout), at a single locality, was collected the rare Chenopodiaceous plant character- ized by Dr. Torrey as Endolepis Suckleyi Torr. This, in the un- published revision of this family by Mr. S. Watson, is to be included in the genus Atriplex (A. Endolepis Watson, ined.). excellent figure of this plant in Vol. xii, pl. 3, of *‘ Pacifie Railroad Reports,”- only fails to represent the straggling habit, densely divaricate branches and the blistered, mealy-dusted leaves of this species. It seems to affect a peculiar soil, so strongly impreg- nated with saline ingredients as to be entirely bare of all other vegetation. In our course up the valley of Stinking Water there was little of botanical interest to attract the attention. The prevalent rocks were composed of a coarse igneous conglomerate, which weathered into the most fantastic shapes, presenting on either hand sharp pinnacles, toppling columns and chimney peaks; but the uniform-- ity of soil derived from its disintegration was unfavorable to a rich development of floral forms. We accordingly note briefly the (106) ‘ BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 18 following as most abundant and characteristic: Arenaria pun- gens Nutt., var. Astragalus microcystis Gray, Heuchera cylindrica Dougl., Bahia leucophylla DC., Stephanomeria paniculata Nutt. On reaching the upper portion of this valley, becoming more - densely wooded, and frequently spreading out into open, grassy parks, a much more attractive and varied flora is brought to view. - The pine woods, composed almost exclusively of Pinus contorta, ee -_-with scattering trees of Abies grandis, and in the drier mountai slopes of Abies Douglasii, overshadow thick moss-hedded festoons of Linnea borealis, associated with Pyrola minor L., and occa- sionally the more peculiar western form of Pyrola dentata Hook. Here too occurs abundantly Antennaria racemosa Hook., with sterile and fertile plants growing in distinct plots; scanty speci- mens were also collected of what is probably the little known An- tennaria luzuloides Torr. and Gray. Everywhere on the moist, wooded slopes is a thick undergrowth of Vaccinium mz iyrtilloides x amnus is represented by the well known northern form of Rhamnus alnifolius L. Her., and on the margins of ice-cold springs we meet with Mimulus moschatus Dougl. In ascending the higher mountain peaks, the rocky crags are brilliantly adorned with clumps am eeenitemon deustus Dougl., or the more showy _ Pen tstemon ziesii Hook. Along the borders of alpine brooks, together with te wide-spread Mertensia Sibirica Dougl., we meet with the showy Mimulus Lewisii Ph., so interesting in its associa- tion with the early explorer Lewis. Mitella trifida Gray is here found associated with the more common Mitella pentandra Hook. In similar localities, strangely remote from their original habitat, we meet with Zauschneria Californica Presl and Kellogia galioides — Torr.! Neat the bald alpine summits, where the ground is satu- rated from the recent melting of snow-drifts, grows the ‘Cali- fornia heath,” Bryanthus empetriformis Gray, and here also at the most eastern locality yet noted was found a dwarf form of Spraguea umbellata Torr. The occurrence of so many peculiar Californian forms in such an isolated locality on the Atlantic slope is very suggestive. On the high alpine crest at the head of Stinking Water, over- looking to the west the Yellowstone basin and its magnificent lake, a more alpine flora is exhibited, though composed mainly of dwarfed forms of plants met with lower down, as may be seen from the following list, noted down August 2, viz: Arabis Drum- (107) 14 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. mondii Gray, Arabis canescens Nutt., Draba alpina L., Smelowskia calycina C. A. Mey., Arenariu arctica Stev., Ivesia Gordoni Torr. and Gray, Potentilla dissecta Pursh, Astragalus alpinus L., Astrag- alus Kentrophyta Gray, Lupinus minimus Dougl., Sedum stenope- talum Ph., Townsendia (not determined as to species. 145), Lrigeron compositum Ph., Senecio canus Hook., Achillea millefolium L., Phlox Douglasii Hook., Polemonium humile var. (P. parvifolium Nutt.), Mertensia alpina Doug]., Myosotis alpestris L., Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. In a concluding article, the general botanical features of Yel- lowstone Park and the head waters of Snake and Wind Rivers will be considered. (108) Number 3. Tue very full botanical list contained in Hayden’s Reports for 1871-72 includes most of the plants met with in the Upper Yel- lowstone basin, being comprised within the limits of the Yellow- stone National Park. But as no attempt is made in the above reports to present the subject in its physiographical aspects, and the list as a whole embraces plants derived from other distinct botanical districts, I propose to continue the itinerary sketch of the botanical features presented on our route, noting the charac- teristic, seeiie or undescribed plants as they are cursorily brought to vie "The Be ciady irregular and bare mountain ridges that bound the Upper Yellowstone basin on the east command by far the finest prospect of this remarkable district. In approaching from any other direction, the distant view is mainly shut off by the dense pine forests that almost continuously cover the adjoining country ; but from the Stinking Water divide, reaching above the timber line, the unobstructed view takes in the whole scope of adjoining woodland, the broad expanse of the lake with its deeply indented shores and rocky islets, and on a clear morning wreaths of misty fog, which, rising here and there out of the forest depths, reveal the locality of steam jets or boiling springs. On leaving these attractive heights to plunge into the sombre forests, we soon lose the peculiar subalpine flora, which gives place to more common woodland forms. Aquilegia flavescens of Watson is especially abundant with its loose straggling habit and light yellow blossoms, less showy than most species of this attractive genus. Ledum glandulosum Nutt. is here noticed for the first time on our route, forming bushy clumps with laurel-shaped leaves, and scant clustered heads of white flowers. Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh here presents in form and habit an exact western counterpart, on a larger scale, of our well ‘known eastern species. Mosses and wood lichens in greater pre- 1 ¢ 75) 16 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. fusion and variety indicate a moister climate; and along the borders of innumerable springs and ice-cold brooks grow the ordinary forms before noticed, including species of Cardamine, Sazifraga, Mitella, Mimulus, Mertensia, Habenaria, etc., ete. The absence of any well-marked trails, and the annoying ob- struction of fallen timber, obliging frequent détours, are apt to confuse the sense of direction even in those most experienced in wood-craft, and frequent reference to the compass is necessary to maintain a direct course. It is therefore a great relief, both to~ man and animals, to emerge occasionally into open grassy valleys, which offer something else to engage the eye and thought more pleasantly than dodging the scraggy branches of overhanging pine trees, or devising the best way of escape from a perfect maze of fallen trees. To the botanist especially these little open parks afford the most satisfactory field for observation and collection, however seriously interfered with by the persistent annoyances of insect pests. The Graminez here brought to view comprise the ordinary northern forms, including Phleuwm alpinum L., Vilfa as- perifolia Nees and Meyen, Agrostis scabra Willd., Muhlenbergia Mexicana Trin., Calamagrostis Canadensis Beauv., Calamagrostis Lapponica Trin., Keleria cristata Pers., Melica bulbosa Geyer., Poa Andina Nutt., Festuca ovina L., Bromus breviaristatus Thur- ber, Triticum cegiopoides Turcz, etc., etc. The Cyperacee are represented by Eriophorum polystachyon L., Carex rigida Good., C. Jamesii Torr., C. Douglasii Boott, C. aquatilis Wahl., C. Ray- noldsii Dewey, C. leporina L. and C. tenuirostris Olney, ined. n reaching the shore of Yellowstone Lake the great variety of exposure bordering this magnificent body of water, at an eleva- tion of seven thousand four hundred feet above the sea level, added material attractions to the native flora. High bluff banks here alternate with stretches of sandy or gravelly beach, while numerous inland lagoons, frequently heated by boiling springs, maintain a local temperature often too high for the ordinary phe- nogamous plants. When, however, this source of internal heat is properly tempered, there is induced a profuse hot-bed growth. But the specific forms are not materially different from those else- where exhibited. Strikingly conspicuous among less showy plants were the profuse blossoms of Gentiana detonsa Fries, presenting flowers of unusual size, and streaked with the most delicate shades of azure blue. A peculiar form of Pentstemon secundifiorus Benth. (176) ‘eae es e BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. iv was equally distinguished by its brilliant colors and cultivated style of growth. Of other plants affecting such locations we may men- tion Spraguea umbellata Torr., Cheenactis Douglasii Hook., Euna- nus Fremontii DC., and, more singular in its associations with neglected fields and gardens, Brunella vulgaris L. and Serophularia Another peculiar plant of this district is that characterized by Dr. Torrey in Hayden’s Report as a new genus of Lobeliacex, viz: Porterella carnulosa Torr. By some inadvertence the syno- nym of the original plant, described in Botany of Beechey’s Voyage, page 362, under the name Lobelia carnosula H. and A, was quoted as Lobelia carnulosa H. and A., and the changed name adopted for the typical species of this seicited genus. It is still doubtful whether the distinguishing characters are sufficient to entitle this plant to generic rank as distinct from Lobelia. The localities in which it was invariably found were recently exsiccated pond-holes in open grassy valleys, which it adorned profusely with its deli- eate blue flowers; it was here quite constantly associated with Nasturtium curvisiliqua Nutt. While searching in similar localities near the falls of the Yel- lowstone for fruiting specimens of the latter plant, my attention was directed to a dense subaquatic growth, occupying the basin of a shallow muddy pond. This proved to be Jsoetes, which Dr. Engelmann, who has assiduously studied this difficult genus, has characterized under the name of Jsoetes Bolanderi var. Parryi. (See Appendix, No. 307.) The numerous additions to this genus, lately made under the inspiring influence of Dr. Engelmann’s researches, show how largely dependent is the introductory work of the botanical collector on the supplementary labors of the herbarium botanist. On the elevated grassy slopes, which at different points afford an agreeable relief to the uniform forest growth, we invariably encounter a well marked subalpine flora in the prevalence of such attractive forms as the following, namely: Caltha leptosepala Oxytropis nana Nutt.? Astragalus Kentrophyta Gray, Bu- pleurium ranunculoides L., Aster pulchellus DC. Eaton, Erigeron ursinum DC. Eaton, Aplopappus suffruticosus Gray, and Senecio amplectens Gray. At lower elevations the same open character of country, agreeably set off with copses of Abies grandis Lindl., afford a still larger number of interesting forms, including Rites 18 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. viscosissimum Pursh, Peucedanum leiocarpum Hook., Ligusticum scopulorum Gray, Lonicera cerulea L., Aster conspicuus Lindl., A. integrifolius Nutt., A. elegans Torr. Gray, A. Engelmanni Gray, Senecio triangularis Hook., S. Andinus Nutt., Hieracium Scoulerit Hook., Gaultheria myrsinites Hook., Orthocarpus Parryi n. sp. Gray (see Appendix, No. 218), Echinospermum deflexum Lehm., Spiranthes Romanzoffiana Cham., Fritillaria pudica Spreng., Calochortus eurycarpus S. Watson, Botrychium simplex Hitcheock. At the head of Yellowstone Lake, fringing the muddy shores of one of its numerous inlets, was found in great abundance the well known European plant, Subularia aquatica L. This has been regarded as one of the rarities on the American continent, and has been termed by Dr. Gray one of “the late lingerers” which has just managed to maintain its foothold in a few isolated New England lakes: but it seemed to be quite at home on the banks of the Yellowstone. While it is by no means unlikely, as sug- gested by Dr. Gray, that from its diminutive size and mode of growth, it may have been overlooked in intermediate localities, its occurrence here, in such profusion, so remote from any recognized connection with an ancestral source, is very suggestive in its bear- ing on the question of geographical distribution, and derivative origin of species. Certainly the localities on this continent where it might have persisted, if originally spread round the northern hemisphere, are sufficiently numerous not to leave such wide gaps as that between Maine and Wyoming! Doubtless, as in other apparently unaccountable cases, future discovery either east or west will help to fill up this chasm. In the numberless ponds and lagoons which occur near the head of Yellowstone Lake only the usual forms of northern aquat- ic plants were noticed, including Ranunculus aquatilis L., Nuphar advena Ait., Utricularia vulgaris L., Lemna trisulea L., Typha lati- olia L., Sparganium simplex Huds., Zannichella palustris L., ’ Potamogeton perfoliatus L. In none of these promising localities was I able to detect the Nuphar polysepalum Engel., which seems singularly to affect iso- lated localities. The various confervoid growths and obscure vegetable organ- isms in connection with the numberless hot springs of this region will no doubt reward the Special researches of the microscopical (178) BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 19 botanist with new and peculiar forms. Before taking final leave of the Yellowstone Park district, it may be proper to allude briefly to the character of the forest growth, so obtrusively forced on the attention of the traveller. Not less than ninety-nine per cent. of the pine growth of this district is made up of the single species, Pinus contorta Dougl. Mile after mile of continuous forest may be traversed without seeing any other arborescent species, and their tall, straight, uniform trunks and scattering foliage will be always associated with the monotonous and dis- agreeable features of the park scenery. Only where the blazing camp-fire sends forth its grateful warmth to relieve the ordinary chill of a night temperature, where the thermometer in August ranges between 36°F. and 14°F., do we realize a manifest utility in this wide-spread forest production. Oceasionally, in low moist ground, the balsam (Abies grandis) comes in to vary the sombre scenery, and add a deeper gloom to these shaded recesses. On higher mountain ridges, Abies Engelmanni Parry makes its ap- pearance, always indicating an clevation of between eight thou- sand and nine thousand feet above the sea. With this latter is associated, as in the higher mountains farther south, Pinus flexilis Torr., but at no point was seen in this district the more exclusively alpine form, Pinus Balfouriana Murray. Abies Menziesii Lindl., which is credited to the park district in Prof. Porter’s list, was not seen by me, and as my attention was particularly directed to this subject of forest distribution, it could hardly have been overlooked. It is possible that some of the pe- culiar forms of Abies Engelmanii, in which the cones with their lengthened scales approach Abies Menziesii (though still plainly distinct), may have been mistaken in herbarium specimens for this latter species, which was not met with on our route after leaving Wind River valley. Our route from the southern head of Yellowstone Lake passed by an almost insensible grade to one of the numerous eastern branches of Snake River; thence, skirting along the irregular mountain range to our left, we passed in full view of the Grand Tétons on our right, from which, making a sharp détour to the east, we reached a low divide at the head of Wind River. On this part of our route, being late in the season and on a hurried march, but little opportunity was afforded for botanizing. The general aspect of the flora, as judged from the autumnal forms, was (179) 20 BOTANICAL OBSEBVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. not materially different from other districts passed over in our ‘ previous route. Of plants not elsewhere noticed may be men- tioned Spheralcea acerifolia Nutt. and Rudbeckia occidentalis Nutt. Near the summit of the high rocky peak overlooking Snake and Wind River valleys was found a new species of Draba char- acterized by Dr. Gray, under the name of Draba ventosa n. sp. (see Appendix, No. 15) : also Aster montanus Rich, the latter only known from high northern collections in British America. From this accessible pass, by which the Yellowstone Park can be reached on a very direct route, we passed rapidly down the open valley of Wind River and reached our previous rendezvous at Camp Brown, on September 12th, after just two months’ absence. (180) Number <.. Tue numbers are those affixed to the tickets in the distributed collection, and referred to in the preceding articles. The charac- ters or descriptions which follow are by the botanists respectively ose names are appended to their several contributions, — in with the collector, having been summoned to a remote frontier, is able to take only a small part. 3. AQUI caulescent, minutely soft-pubescent; leaves all crowd- A JONE and the gantry paiouke dilated pases of their petioles imbricated on the stout ascending branches of the rootstock, biternately divided; the primary divisions with ve ent a 18, rte! out of flower, and with full-grown fruit; but a a blossoms were se- pecies is 3 ted icated to Capt. W. A. Jones, U. S. Engineer, who first detected this interesting i crtigat and to whose ciictent aid as Commander of the te expediti Ce a i as 18. STANEEYA TOMENTOBA.—Very stout, vipat hates or hirente shroughout (espe. canvas in the manner of 8. pinnatifida, the upper ‘ones perio ‘aa hastate, passing into Jan- (211) (21) 22 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. sre — finally into subulate isc for the lower i raceme very den and t a foot and a half long), of almost innumer- able Ry cream- colored flowers; pedicels in fruit abo ut the length of the filiform stipe. — Owl Creek o seksi slopes in soil. Biennial, perhaps sometimes peren- nial hy offshoots, one to — feet ae . Petals Iancealate, oblong, narrowest in the Z es NTOSA.—Depre ae a crspitose, branching from slender rootstocks, teense patch ntose throu ar out, the pubescence stellate; leaves crowded on the mostly tutted branches, spatulate oblong or obovate, hans not rigid; peduncle in fruit exserted beyond the leaves, corymbosely 3-5-flowered; petals golden yellow; silicle oval or orbicular, ene posi sute, tipped enh a short distinct style. na bes yle.—O: high rocky peak overlookin d Wind River valley Jar _ oe: poms é inch and : S ight; the de! seou tu on nilesn: tapering to the base; the pubescence eape! soft and stellate, the eeciatae ne generally slender-stipitate. re or —- e half an inch to nearly an inch in i developed. 1 spatulate, 2 lines —_ Silicle fully 2 pis wide, 23 to 3% lines long; the abrupt style half a line to nearly aline long. Th e.18 not pace that of the imperfectly known D. eur vente par of the Sierra Nevada. 6 ; 65. ASTRA ee (ONOBRYCHOIDES) VENTORUM Gray Ms.—Somewhat canescent with short senna ed hairs; the stems from a terraneous perennial rootstoc erect, 4-6 inches high, wekases 8, simple; snails large and pie free from t —— a and hes aarp leaflets 4-8 pairs, broadly obovate, 4-6 lines ee he apex; racemes loose, short rapa eating the leaves; flowers 5-6 lines lo ong, light sana. the tubular-campanulate calyx 3 lines long, with short setaceously tipped teeth; legume sessile, slightly pt peokeces: turgid, oblong, es lines long, slightly curved, completely 2-cell = ey entral suture somewl!l nent and the dorsal slightly impressed.—Collec n Wind other species of the section in its “i bit, which is Fie: of A. succumbens, in its yellowish Ts Ss TSON e; ‘ te AGALUS (PECTINATI) reel Parry MS.—Distinguished from 4. pectinatus y the broader leaflets, which are 1-1} inches long by 14-2} lines oe ad, quite strongly bee and by the so ayia thinner pod, ascending instead of defi xed. The flowers light beers Bes e gravelly td S. WATSON "i waaigathini asin PARRYIL—A span high, hoary, w. with a thin loose denies tum; stems sey gear a caecrantt woody rootstock, simple, the naked peda i i tet ingle large head; leaves near cuspid date; Sale es of the invol- ucre in two series abomgtanceoat,¥ very much half an ine ce sce’ obovate-spat ren 5, coms heaps tapering into a petiole of abou * an m iach in length; Laesterae stout Bivies ie es long), solita & si i lar; wnlgines' 6 n 3or 4 series, Tanceotse, creme herbate wit ari margins, ‘ins inner ones acuminate rays bright bie, donb the le : us t e@ i ut and nme 1 barbellate pana d nie r Range at 9,000 his alt. era on p. 13). This very beautiful poten is icaly ted to . scapigera, and St much the same foliage and a similar p pappus and Salen, but the heads are tally as large as those of T. gr hel > « sup- ported on very stout stalks, and have the rays bright ee al ore po in T. scapigera, and the leaves are us y apiculated, as ed are notin the latter. ustia With very fine specimens of the above, Dr, Parry has also a eine T. spathulata Nutt. oo 142 ana 145), and a single plant of a very differe t species which he pro- pose eall (212) BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 23 (no number. See . 105 ). T. COND’ —It has a proper caudex two inches long, marked with the scars of former leaves, and at the e top bears a dense mass of small, oblong-spatulate, white- pepe radian and, buried among them, a eae sessile head rather larger than that of 7. tcea. The involucre is composed of numerous very m ot h of some doubt as to whether this ered not be his plant = eon name. If rat it may prop- a 150. UHRIA INTEGRIFOLL&.—Hoary-puberulent, becoming glabrate peter te flowering stems a span high from a Rrauohing caudex, seey vary at base, neatsg ser toa or sometimes oblong, entire, lightly 3-nerved, abruptly narrowed into a slender r pe i- ole; scales of the hemispherical involucre 10- 14, oblong-lanceolate, acute, shorter than the disk; flowers yellow; rays 6-9, exsert wiesed oblon ng, — lien oothed; akenes linear- £ p . » hy lin Short-awned by the excurrence of the stout midrib or else in the outermost flowers oblong and pointless. — iaaed “oda vay; on high Sr pieens sages. f t Was Collec P , rry i in Utah or New Mexico); and Dr. Parry has now pbc ote much farther r north. The i hich 0. a 4 published by me under Bahia or Achyropa, 3 an the present species adds a peculiar section, Platyschkuhria, with perennial hin acutely ‘Milage and habit, but the head and flowers ni it, yropappus. — A, GRAY. 153. ARNICA PARRYI.— About a foot on hirsute and glandular; stem simple, naked above, othe Coseeting bracts) o e or two pairs of cauline leaves and - 1-5 rather small h radical and low ae italien leaves ovate or ovate-l:unceolate ith oan or acute tase Sepereng into bee short'm margined petiole, Hghtly 3-5- ‘tossing, sisonndt in cre somewhat or treaage rays none; akenes almost glabrous: “pappus densely barbell in the man f A. mollis —A. angustifolia, var. discoidea latifolia Gray Sill. Jour. 33, p. 238, ae ie saancrine var. eradiata Gray in Proc. Acad. Philad., 1863, . r eene), an Ww n ne. , on t alpina. Seemin ie a well tales species in a genus the species ny Game are hard to limit.* ae GRA 156. ey FOLIOS SA Bride —A. Chamissonis Torr. and Gray, in part. Thi dwarf a es ess downy fo of a species which abounds from the Rocky Mountains cS the Sierra Nevada, in the ane region passing into var. incana, a densely white-to: * Our North American species throughout appear to have yellow anthers and mo T les phat Pd bik A si tc two erste to be ante and the other Aleutian Telands, which have bla mr h anthers. Both were collected by Harrington and Da in the ex foration hier he co ommand of ay "Ona and they seem to be eras er ha the « : ia Less., but in our cimens the many ‘Nolneed-h s common in the genus certainly occur, The A in our specimen of Schmidt’s Flora Sachaliensis has the cee a anthers, : and in foliage also differs considerably from original A. Cham A. GRA (213) ~ ' 24 BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. tose variety. It is Nuttall’s 4. ae which I had referred to 4. Chamissonis, incor- rectly,as I am now con vinced, but all these scbinge seem to run together inextricably. Nuttall’s name is a pe] one, anit so, on the whole, is the species which on a s i ore ve.—A. G@ IPZA (APHYLLON) ieahe once les P. fasciculata; but the whole plant is of a light yellow color and mo e glandular-hairy; peduncles only about twice the length of the rhs corolla a sulphur-yellow.—Dry and sandy hillsides, Owl Creek; parasitic on roots of grasses. —C. C, 215, ICULARIS PARRYI Pini var. PURPUREA cate ndant in pine woods at the foot of Yellowstone Lake. I do t find any marked characters to distinguish this seh Sweeny Parryi of the Cote rado Rock ountains, except the larger dull purple flowers, the lanulose-ciliate bracts, filaments slightly hairy, and leaves more lult ser mae with the divisions broader and less divaricate.— ORTHOC C.C. Parry. 218, ARPUS PARRYI.—Differs from QO. pallescens Gray in somewhat greater height (almost a foot high) and in the close and shoif cinereous pubescence; corolla broader and yellowish, its m deci trisaccate lower lip equalling in h the road galea, its 3 lobes See oval, obtuse, about the length of the saccate portion.— Pacific Springs, ete. wers 7 lines long; the lower rather distant, in the axils of spaiere , Soe foliaceous “aciniate mpinpetind bracts; calyx 2-cleft to the ane nearly slightly yellowish.—A. GRA "CARE EX TENUTROSTRIS Omey.—Spike ovate or nearly rou nd (s-H jam. Joo, 7-10 wide), composed short, leafy, lower. margins hyaline; stigmas 2; perigynium mogibidel ovate, ;Janceolate 3°2 m ong, *8 mm. wide), tapering to a very slen er | branous palin fringed ak fp, faintly. nerved, doubly serrate and winged « on n the wa down, longer t acute hyaline green nerved scale (2-21 mm. sn 1-1-5 broad), never hi Hid; henium straw colored, oblong, stiped (1-4 mm. long. °6 wide).—Stipe 4 14 mm.; style 2°2 mm.; stigmas pad 8 mm. j root yo ous, sige 6-8 ¢m. high, leaves flat; margin finely serrated. rough and shorte er than culm It resembles Carex Hayden rin size, leaves anc cy se fca OREN, It differs i in the color of its spikes, its Hip ei rappers in its perigynium wh and in its orifice fringed at top, and in this diff ering from its Cal close ally C. lencotlon and from ype more remote. "rege C. festiva it differs St anaionte, and in the wings aa SPLIAbNEDS of the peri Byam, hs exhenaing ip nthe base —S.T. OLNEY 307. (5-20, 2-42 in, 4-angled, slender, tapering to a very fine ms nolut. be right green, 6 soft; epidermis cells elongated; with stomata, but without peripherical bast bundles; sporocarp mostly oblong, covered about 3 or } by the velum, ascii ted; many ospores ( ip "45 m: nk wide) beset with minute points and wrinkles p 26-031 : ong>more or less papillose or spinulose, deep brown.— ae pond d shallow lak Nevada of California, at an lysing of Sabie 000. feet, ‘ scattered or “rely. in smpall. patches ” (Tuolumne, Mount Dana, Mono-tr Cisco, Mary nder, 1866 e, H. and 1870), and on the Rocky Mountains, Ahan pedi i ail cueies axe 7,400 feet alt. —— rry, No. 307, 1873). cies ingatge in the western mountain regions our eastern wide- This spread Isoétes Gibicasin r, Braunii, and the very local I. saccharata. oth collectors oun ae it growi ie in ae mud covering gravel, an ee submerged, but the ab: dant stomata would seem to indicate that the plant, at times, vegetates out of water. Leaves very pone ui g Mower in diameter in the lower third, very broad winged below ds mninpte, mostly poi inted wart $ on the macrospores are often confiu imens [ find them rkles dive, pa preiete ‘britera ted. The specimens al Yel ei i hn characterized by rather smaller macrospores (028-0 38 m m. Wide) and a little male Sef 026 2a te mm.) almost smooth microspores, and may be e distinguished ag vy. only other eneeane of Isoétes, thus far found in the peas mountains and on the Pact slope, are ISOETES PYGMZEA Stoxeke: -—Very submerged, few (5-10), short (4 to 1 inch), stout, (214) BOTANICAL ee IN WESTERN WYOMING. 25 tamed tapering dark-gree =n leaves, with very short, often even square epidermis cells, ender Boe or bast-bundles; circ —— — nah ih with a very narro ve um; ma- dasa F9t-000 mi cana wide, marked w 1 onfluent, rather i (0°024-0°027 mm. long) brown, very minutely papillose or almos smooth. —In large p mud, covering gravel, deeply submerged in Ligne mater, on the ica ae declivity of the Sierra ot vada, 7000 feet a n 866. Closely allied to the species, distinguished by its stout, short see withcat stomata, and the attic of the larger macrospores, etc.; in many respects near J, lacustris. Is litt.— Terrestrial, trunk sAeigaon 5 lobed; leaves erous stomata d by the v 1 A. Bra angled. esa firm, erect, light-green, 8 on; on the Columbia, 7h. Nwuttall. 1833; Camas ee Ss, Chs. Geyer, 1843; Willamette valley, £. , No. ut an leaves, as most land Isoétes arti with three esota ea he bonis