Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 2.djvu/141

Rh The Erigeron acris we found in August a few hundred feet below the Pinus flexilus, and, in the beginning of July, at 8500 feet, the Ranunculus pygmaeus, the tiniest butter-cup imaginable, struggling bravely to bloom in the icy winds of Wilcox Pass, and covering the ground like a golden moss wherever the winter snows had receded. Here, also, in full bloom, but or more exposed and barren sections of the pass, was the Aragallus inflatus. This was an especially interesting find as I had never seen anything more than the huge, inflated seed-pods before. The flower is a deep sky-blue, and, growing only upon higher elevations, not often seen. We gathered the beautiful crimsoning seed-vessels at the same place, the latter part of August.

From the north fork of the Saskatchewan to the headwaters of the Athabasca the Primula mistassinica and the Primula borcelis grew by the river banks, frequently in beds together; they were as often found apart.

In the Su Wapta flats was growing the Pilosella Richardsonii, as also the Arabis lyrata occidentalis. The former plant, varying in general characteristics, but withal the same, made our entire journey to Fortress Lake bright, its clusters of white blossoms garnishing the sandy river-bars.

On the Wilcox Pass grew the Viola cognata, and in the Fortress Lake region, at about 7000 feet, the Viola Langsdorfii. This violet is an especially beautiful, rich, luscious-looking flower, with strong, rank foliage. Down in the swamps of the Su Wapta we found the Utricularia vulgaris, and though known generally throughout Canada, I have never come across it in the mountains further south. At the same time of year, and in the same section, but at 7000 feet, we found the purple-crimson blooms of the Telesonix heucheriformis. Wedged deep in the cracks of the rocks, it was impossible to get any of the specimens entire. One and