THE CONDOR [ Vol. III Along the route whole canyon-sides are frequently found grown up to man- zanita and a tough, prickly brush, Ceanothus cordulatus, and the presence of these shrubs is usually indicative of a shallow, rocky soil. The deer-brush (Ceanolhus vdulimts), 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 Chamwbalia foliolosa pHo'vo E?v c:. eARLOW. TYPICAL PATCH OF CHAMA?BATIA FOLIOLO?SA IN TH[ grows luxuriantly. It is a pungent, rose-like shrub, known locally as "mountain misery" and affords secure nesting sites for Ppilo macztlaDts malls thurberi and Hel?ninthophila r?tbricapilla guilttrails. The grade from Place rvilleis gradual and the road for the most part passes through a beautiful timber-growth and approaches the American 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 (?anolhus cordulatus,--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.
