Jan., 1908 NOTES FROM THE DIARY OF A NATURALIST IN NORTHERN CALIF. 31 On July 21 Bunnell aud I left the train at Willets, Mendocino County, shortly after noon, and hastily got together supplies for a two week's camp. We resumed our journey after changing cars, and were soon in the depths of a magnificent redwood forest. Our train was pulled slowly up the steep and winding grades by an odd-looking, but powerful side-cog locomotive. Thus we had an excellent op- portunity of studying the country from the windows of our observation car. Tow- ering redwoods kept us in almost constant shade, and beneath these giants grew a fine forest of Douglas spruce, bull pine, madrone, tan-bark oak, white and black oak. The hillsides were carpeted with a luxuriant undergrowth, and frequent mountain streams added the final touch to a forest scene of rare beauty. This part of the journey, all too short, was ended at Sherwood, where we changed to a huge six-horse stage and continued our journey as far as Laytonville, which place we reached about seven o'clock in the evening. This part of the journey, too, had scenery varied and picturesque. Rolling hills bear an open - forest of bull' pine, alternating with thick undergrowth and with patches of thin yellow grass. Many pleasing contrasts are thus formed; but the chief charm of this stage ride is the thick cluster of noble Douglas spruce, into whose deep shade the road frequently plunges, or which, standing apart in the distance, are rendered conspicuous by their deep green color and lofty, spire-like forms. Next day in the cool of the morning we were on our way again, our objective point being Covelo in Round Valley. This trip, thru the Transition Zone forest, .was of continual interest. Blue-fronted Jays screamed, and California Wood- peckers drummed and called as our stage rumbled by. The majestic Douglas spruce towered above us at frequent intervals, and some striking specimens of the madrone are recalled vividly even at this writing. -They were among the tallest of the forest trees, their huge spreading branches, each one a tree in itself, started from near the base, and gave the effect of a gigantic shrub. The rich, deep red color of the bark is in striking contrast to all other hues of that forest, and is a unique element of beauty. The day wore on with ever changing scenes; now we were in the deep cool shades of lofty spruce trees; now thru vistas in the forest we got views of fair valleys, or mountains, blue in the distance. About noon we crossed the main fork of Eel River, a rapid stream of pale greenish water. From here began our ascent of the range of hills which completely girdles Round Valley. From its summit several fine views of the valley can be . had. It is a golden plain of grain fields and pastures stretching away to the hill barriers on every side. Dotted about here and there are ranch houses with their green orchards and shade trees relieving the general tone of yellow. Numerous herds of grazing livestock complete a pastoral scene which is all the more pleasing because of its striking contrast with the wildness and solitude of surrounding mountain and forest. Thru this valley (Upper Sonoran Zone) on July 23, Bunnell and I made our way, and about ten in the morning we began the ascent of Asebeen Ridge at the northeastern extremity of the valley. A long, all-day climb brought
us well into the Yallo Bally country. and we made a comfortable camp for the
night in a miniature mountain meadow, with a small stream running thru it. For most of the next day we passed thru open forests of bull pine thru which were scattered quite frequently, live oaks and madrones, the last named trees being particularly handsome. As we got higher up the bull pines increased in size, and sugar pines became quite common. The next day we encountered some severe climbing, and our two sturdy mules were taxed t? their utmost at times. The country was typically mountainous, the steep rocky slopes and deep canyons becoming more pronounced in character till we
