September 22, 1925

1, oW •l.~^,vim :... 4' c: ime IV September 22, 1925 Number 18

VACATION-LAND IN OUR HOMES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Few of us are fortunate enough to spend more than a short vacation each year in our mountain playgrounds; How many of us, as we stood upon the heights and felt the thrill of fellowship that comes with first-hand acquaintance with the birds, the flowers, the trees and the mountains themselves, have wished that the inspiring influence of these associations could be with us throughput the year.,in our everyday life. Our government is doing its partto help us to more thoroughly enjoy and understand our great playgrounds; the National Parks. In Yosemite we find a splendid museum and a corps `of naturalists who condu ct daily field trips along the trailsides and who deliver evening campfire lectures on a wide variety of natural history subjects. But whys should we be satisfied with but an introduction to the trailsides of our beloved Sierra? Is there no way in which we may continue our friendship with the Big Country during each month and each week of the year?, `' There is a way! Lovers of the California mountains have organized to interpret and present in popular form all of the manifestations. of Nature of the Sierras and more particularly of Yosemite National Park. Primarily the Yosemite NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION concerns itself with the living things of the Yosemite region; yet it must necessarily be a factor in inspiring a regard for American Wild Life in general. Yosemite Nature Notes, which has been published in. mimeographed form by the Park Naturalist for a number of years, has been adopted as the official organ of the Association. Cooperating. with the government, the Association prints "Yosemite Nature Notes " weekly during June, July, and August and monthly throughout the remainder of the year, each of the twenty-four issues being sent to all members. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands who love Yosemite, you will wish to keep in touch with her through the Association. There are hundreds of thousands of others who have no conception ofthe big message of the Out-of-doors. You will want those uninitiated to learn of what the Park has to offer..At now! Fill out. the enclosed application for membership and mail it with a check or money order for $z.00 to The Park Naturalist, Yosemite National

Park; California. Every cent of the $2.00 will be devoted. to keeping you in touch with your Yosemite.

'Volume IV _ September 22, 1925 Number 18

THE SIERRA AND THEIR GEMINATE SPECIES

By David Starr Jordan '1'e ' 1 ' f ll? lover of trees one special feature of the Yosemite region and the High Sierra may he commended. This is j the presence everywhere of what 1 have called "Geminate ' :'p :.cies" : that is, of trees, flowers and animals which are "twins " of other species found in other similar regions. Closely related species of dogwood, red bud, osier, spruce, fir, cedar, pine, chipmunks. birds, lizards and snakes are almost never found together in the same range. Neither are they as a rule I apart. They are usually nearby and always separated by a harrier of some sort, which prevents free motion and interbreeding. This separation in space lies at the basis of separation in classification, for it is the chief element in species f4irming. So common and universal is this law of twin species that ''ii,ie writers (myself included) take it to be the chief method in the "Origin of Species." I use the name "species" only fin r groups occurring in nature, though good imitations can be lout in a breeding pen or greenhouse. These we may call hi the florist 's (and milliner 's) term "creations." A species, in the strict sense, is a definable series of similar individuals I~ a ogether by heredity, and which, in running the gauntlet

ave endured. reation" is a definable series of similar individuals 1... ogether by heredity, which starts from an individual.Ii ' special variations, or from a hybrid, its features bein " rmined and continued by selection, segregation and in• ing. A creation, to endure, must be continuously proir rom the stress of life and from submergence in mass-

:sr, YOSEMI't;, NTU ' M ir breeding. 4,.~ N "Species" and "creations' are developed in similar fashion, the one in long periods of time, with resulting endurance; the other in very short periods, and without regard to permanence, but in both cases through selection and segregation The common elements in this process are : 1. The presence of variation, more or less marked, which may fall into the grasp of heredity. 2. The physical separation of variants from the mass. this involving, in some degree, the heredity of traits concerned. 3. The protection of selected variants from breeding with the mass, by which their characters would be lost, the mass having, not only numerical superiority, but from long hered ity, greater prepotency. In every "creation" the same factors must obtain, although the element of segregation was not fully recognized by Darwin and has been ignored by many others. It is, however, an el, ment distinct from selection, and usually equally vital in species-forming. Natural selection destroys the ill-adapted. Artificial. selection eliminates forms not desired by the experi menter. Inhibition from mass-breeding is essential in both cases alike. The Overshadowing Fact of Evolution The problem of the origin of species has in recent years been attacked by three different types of scientists : Observers, experiments and philosophers. The conclusions of all agrc( as to the overshadowing fact of evolution, but there is mu h difference of opinion as to how it comes about. As species exist in Nature, and as their origins and relations are the essence of the problem. students of species, as original observers, have, we may sal. the right of way. It is their problem first, which experimenters undertake to clarify, anal on which philosophers build, their deductions In deciding on the origin of species, certain facts must be explained. Some types of animal and plant life are very widely distributed; some extremely local, some families and genera are represented by many species, some by very few. The traits separating species of the same genus or family are never those of special usefulness to the organism itself. All species of the same group that pull through are to all appearance alike adaptable. CIosely related species show a definite relation to harriers, which in the past have separated a few individuals from the mass, segregating them from mass-breeding. Segregation Necessary to Produce New Species In most cases of geminate species (and thousands of them

are recorded) it is evident that sudden change within the mass could not produce new species, unless aided by segregation. This is the rule, un l ess the new form of "mutation " might have special traits of superiority. No case of this is on record. Notable variants may spread for awhile only to be finally submerged in the mass: For this reason, I do not believe that the idea of speciesforming through "mutation" now in vogue among greenhouse botanists is more than a passing aberration. Recent experiments on a hybrid form of 1?vening Primrose are very far from demonstrating a general rule. The idea that species of plants at certain periods in their history throw off new species, as a planet is imagined to throw off moons, has a touch of the grotesque. The theory that new species are formed by small' modifications of old species has a better standing, although still shaky. In every case such changes to be permanent must be accompanied by separation with development tinder new selec-.tions, with new enemies and new environment. Apparently We are forced to conclude that new species, in general are derived from old ones through the cooperation of the internal factors, of heredity and variation, and moulded by the external factors of selection which eliminate the unadaptable, and separation which prevents mass-breeding, and works through harriers to break up uniformity. The Yosemite region is packed with geminate species. It is an interesting study to,trace these back to their parent stocks, to compare them with their twins and cousins elsewhere, and try to find out where they came from and how they got there.

Published weekly in summer and monthly in winter by the National Park Service in cooperation with the Yosemite Natural History Association, in Yosemite Valley. The articles published in "Yosemite Nature Notes" are not copyrighted. It is intended that these articles shall be freely used by the press and by all periodicals that believe in the value of National Parks. When material from this publication is used due credit should be given. Communications should be addressed to C.P.Russell, Park Naturalist, Yosemite National Park.

AFIELD WITH THE NATURE GUIDES

MI,LOW SPOTTED SA 1.Aby three and a half inches. There

MANDEEI IN YOSEMITE

was no apparent outlet for the Some weeks ago "Yosemite Nature Not,s" reported the discovery mother. in Yosemite valley of what -eewed There were sixty-one young cento be a new salamander. The first tipedes in the mass. They were alspecimen found was very email most white in color and were not and Immature. Later adults of the species were found at Fern Set ting, so flat as the adults. They did not at the lower end of the vatie :e. seen] capable of locomotion, but along the base of the cliffs near the old village, and at Taft Point, e'arh wa :; rolled in a little hell 7500 feel altitude, on the south more after the matinee of millirim. Coincident with thee.. disco Vpecks. crier ear '1 '. I. Storer' :: riplenditl Publication,n, "A Synopsis of the While not a complete :.ceouut, Amphihin of Catttornta. ' Reference those Lice uliser',atione throesome to Storer's iteye quickly established light on the life history of centithe fact that the supposed new species was none other than En_ Pedes.—H. II liernood. satina eroceator, the yellow-spotted salamander desrrihed by Cope In Clow ARE HOt'EMENTS 1)367 from Fort Teton, Calif. E. C. Ole T1 t'i's CLJIDEDf Van Dyke bad previously taken Three blue-fronted jays were two immature specimens of the having some fun ' with a bat one species in Yosemite valley, hut this mid-afternoon this week, in the fact was not published until Siordiminutive clearing east of Roe e.r 's synopsis emieered• Island; and the bat (of goodly size. The interesting little amphibian perhaps Epteslcus fuseus7) seemed has been recorded ftom Placer to be having some fun of his own. county, 1i1 Dorado county, YosemThat ••.repuseular being looked ite valley, South Rim of Yosemite, oddly out of place seen against the Madera county. Fresno enmity-. sun-fleoderi sky, but there was litant Forest, Tulare rnnnty, Fort nothing nuenetemary about his 'Tejon and doubtfully from San manner of flight. The jays woulhl Lucas and San Diego.--C. T' Rnsswoop upon him singly. with a sell. brave show of vigorous attack, but }F 3t withriut ever scoring an actual ORSF.RYaTIO YS ON 4.111;

LIFE

strike: and each short swift swoop nearHISTORY OF

CENTIPEDE

would end in a perch on the nearWhile peeling the hark morn a est tree and a vocal explostor, f)tllen western :'chaos' Pine, I unusually answered in chorus by the covered a large centipede either other two. Sometimes all three la * eggs,' would then take the air together, yto6 or feeding

the but only (Ile would launch the at-. eggs of some other arthropod. She tack, the other alighting in trees was surrounding the egg mass and and, but for squawging, remaining kept movfng 'hilegs of the anteinactive. as if the rules of the riot third of ]ee body. i watched game so required. The bat. on the her for some time. thin I touched other hand, kept the air continher to see %%hat the response would nously, most of the time between be. As soon as i touched het• she fifty and thirty-five feet above the wriggled and seemed abort to run ground, though occasionally deaway as in fright. Instead. howscending to within some ten feet ever, she stormed and began to of it, and his ceaseless, twinkling, eat her egg's. Not wishing* her to wavering flight with Its inealcudevonr the lot, I took her away lahle carves and angles and dips when she had eaten hen, and rises seemed easily to elude There were twenty-three eggs his pursuers. Sometime.' he would in the group held together in a sally out over the river where loose pile, probably by cohesive none of the jays would follow. And force. They were a eieteenth of once, when one of them.. had an inch.long and of rich amber alighted on a dead tree top the bat color. T kept them in hope that ringed the bird, very neatly and they would hatch, hut either bevary closely, the jay opening his cause they were not fertilized or black bill widely at him—the two the conditions of humidite and and the gray "snag" and the temperature were not correct, they luminous sky making an unforget• failed to develop. table picture. The performance Three weeks later i was with ended with the sudden disappearthe Yosemite School of Field Naante of the bat and the consequent Tura] History in the same region. withdrawal of the jays. While removing the hark from a Presumably they had disturbed yellow pine stump we found anthe hat in his bed-chamber. Other ether lnrge centipede. This one was conjectures the observer abstains in a clear area welled by insect from, except this one : That if bats workings end seemed to he hoverare really "blind" in daylight they ins a mass of tiny centipedes. must he guided se well kinaesThe chamber was n fourth of an thetically for by some other sense) inch in depth and was in the form that sight seems quite superfluous of an irregular oval two and a half or then,.

R't.... 'c..c.'pa!r7o''^'

E 'YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION ITS PURPOSES

To gather and disseminate information on the wild-life of the Sierras. To develop and enlarge the Yosemite Museum (in co ation with the National Park Service) and to establish subiary units, such as the Glacier Point lookout and branches of

filar nature. To promote the educational work of the Yosemite Nature

Guide Service. To publish (in cooperation with the U. S. National Park Service) "Yosemite Nature. Notes". To study living conditions; past and present, of the Indians of the Yosemite region: To maintain in Yosemite Valley a : library of historical, scientific, and popularnterest To further scientific:=investigation along lines of greatest popular interest ar►itopublish; from time to time, bulletins of non-technical nature. To sitrietly limit the ac`ti :'ties of the association to purposes which shall be scientific.' d educational, in order that the organization shall not be operated for profit..

AY WE SEND YOU EACH ISSUE=OF YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES?

' our check for $2.00 sent to the Park Naturalist, Yosemite ional Park, will help to pay the cost of its publication for e year and make you a member of. the Yosemite. Natural istory Association for the same period.

OM THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUT-DOOR RECREATION

Called by PRESIDENT COOLIDGE

THAT THE CONFERENCE ENDORSE NATURE STUDY IN SCHOOLS ND THE EXTENSION OF THE NATURE STUDY IDEA TO EVERY ERICAN SCHOOL AND FAMILY; THAT THE ESTABLISH' ENT OF MUSEUMS OF NATURAL HISTORY IN NATIONAL PARRS ILL INCREASE THE EDUCATIONAL RECREATIONAL VALUE OF THI

pARKs".—Resolution of the Conference.