November 1936

Courtesy of Standard Oil Co. of Calif. November 1936 Volume xv Number 11

THE PUBLICATION OF THE YOSEMITE NATURALIST DEPARTMENT AND THE YOSEMITE NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIATION

Published Monthly Volume xv November 1936 Number II Willows of the High Sierra GEORGE ZENTMYER Field School 1935 Representing a nearly complete (Salix lasiandra abramsi), which collection of the willows of the High often grows to be a good sized tree Sierra, ten different species of wilthirty to forty feet in height. low were found during the course Although the species of willows of the two weeks' trip into the high are rather difficult to identify as a county by the Yosemite School of rule due to the variation within the Field Natural History last summer. species itself, there are a number Many and varied are the localiof characters which may be said to lies in which members of this interbe reliable and constant in classiesting genus (Salix) may be found. fication. The principle characterisTypically they are associated with tics of the High Sierra willows folmoisture, often growing along low: stream banks. In the High Sierra, 1. RED WILLOW (Salix lasiandra however, willows may be found abramsi Ball; S. lasiandra lancifolia high up in little alpine meadows, in of Jepson). steep, rocky canyons with no trace This species of willow is distinof surface water, or on the sides of guished from all other willows in rocky slopes. the High Sierra by its long, lanceoEqually varied are the forms of late leaves, in which the leaf length the willows found in the High Sieris four to five times the width or ra. All degrees of variation in size more. It also occurs only at lower are found between the beautiful elevations—up to 8,500 feet. This little alpine willow (Salix petrov:illow was collected last summer phila caespitosa), which is usually on the shores of Washburn Lake. not over two or three inches high, 2. ALPINE WILLOW (Salix peand a variety of the Red Willow trophila caespitosa (Kennedy) S19

Schn.; S. petrophila Rydb). one, has leaves which are typically This species is readily recognized densely hairy or tomentose on both because of its dwarf habit, being a sides. It is distinguished from the creeping alpine shrub with vertical Sierra Willow by the presence of branches seldom over three inches small glandular teeth on the leaf in height. The beautiful silky catmargins, and by the tomentose kins are very striking in this species branch tips. Eastwood 's Willow in mid-summer; they often exceed occurs quite commonly in the High the plant itself in height. Habitat— Sierra at elevations of from 6,000 alpine summits, 9,000 to 11,000 feet. to 10,000 feet. 3. MONO WILLOW (Salix monica 6. SIERRA WILLOW (Salix oresBebb; S. phylicifolia var. monica tera Schn.; S. glauca var. orestera Jeps). Jeps). The Mono Willow occurs quite The Sierra Willow has leaves commonly in the Tuolumne Meawhich are hairy or silky on both dows region and throughout the sides, but which are not glandular high country to some extent at eletoothed. It is common at higher vations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet. It is elevations in Yosemite National recognized by the bright green, glaPark, and throughout the Sierra brous, nearly ovate leaves; and the Nevada. It is usually a small shrub, deep reddish or reddish-purple color from three to nine feet in height. on the young twigs. The leaves are 7. JEPSON'S WILLOW (Salix usually small, not over 1 to 1,1,i jepsoni Schn.; S sitchensis var. auinches in length by one-quarter to gugtifolia Bebb). three-quarters inches in width. This species is distinguished by 4. LEMMON'S WILLOW (Salix having leaves which are nearly lemmoni Bebb). glabrous and dark green above, but This species is similar to the densely silky tomentose and lightMono Willow in having glabrate, colored beneath The leaves are bright-green leaves, but differs in nearly lanceolate, as contrasted to that the leaves are more elongated the wider, obovate leaves of the (lanceolate instead of ovate) and similar Sitka Willow. The catkins longer. One and one-half to three of the Jepson Willow are very disinches long by three-eights to fivetinctive, being long and narrow. eights inches wide. The catkins of This species grows at high eleva- This species are usually larger than tions, from 7,000 to 10,000 feet. those of the Mono Willow also. 8. SCOULER or NUTTALL WIL5. EASTWOOD'S WILLOW (Salix LOW (Salix scouleriana Barratt). eastwoodiae Cokrl; S. commutata The Nuttall Willow is characterBebb). ized by the inversely egg-shaped This species, as does the following (obovate) leaves; the leaves being

larger toward the tip. Another disFour other species of willow are tinguishing character is that the described by Ball as occuring at leaves are glabrous. This willow is high elevations in California, alquite common in the mountains of though two of these are of doubtful California, and is often larger than occurrence in this State. None of the other High Sierra willows dethese four were collected on last scribed in this article—reaching a summer's trip. The species are S. height of 30 feet, but usually smaller. commutata, S. sitchensis Sanson, S. 9. GEYER WILLOW (Salix geybebbiana, Sarg. and S. nivalis Hook eriana Anderss). —the Snow Willow, a small, creepThis willow has small, narrow ing, rare alpine species which has leaves which are thinly silky-pilose been collected on the Dana Plaon both surfaces and have revolute teau. margins. The principle distinguish- Note: The nomenclature used ing character of this species, howin this article is that of Dr. Carleever, is the bluish bloom appearing ton R. Ball in his treatment of the on the young black twigs. It is a genus Salix published in Abrams, small shrub, growing in Tuolumne Illustrated Flora of the Pacific Meadows and at middle elevations States, Stanford University Press, in the Sierra Nevada as a whole. 1923. Passing Reflections HAROLD E. PERRY Ranger-Naturalist Increasing travel figures for the camping facilities, and hotel accommany National Parks are a source modations attract an ever increasing of satisfaction to the personnel of number of people and thus the the National Park Service. Intercircle of influence is continually preted in terms of appreciation and widened. recreation, these statistics mean that There are many true lovers of more and more people each year the out-of-doors, however, who beare finding the wholesome enjoymoan the intrusion of evidences of ment and educational opportunities civilization into the national wildwhich are afforded by these nationerness areas. They are the ones who ally interesting outdoor areas. are most at peace with themselves The growing popularity of any and with the world in general when National Park generally results in they are enjoying the solitude of increased funds being set aside for mountain fastnesses, far from the the development of that area. The sounds and smells of luxury and resultant improvements in roads. ease. The coming of paved, high-

gear, automobile roads, and the mulMerced and Tuolumne basins, are titudes who speed over them are available as bases of operation to sources of distress to the rugged those who desire the adventure and natures of these outdoor lovers. accessibility of the High Sierra Thus it is that certain types of peowithout the responsibilities of proople are disturbed by the inevitable viding their own food and lodging. development within the National Certainly nature at its best is found Parks, in the Yosemite High Sierra. However this feeling of concern Many visitors to Yosemite find need not extend to all of them. Yocountless opportunities in the Valley semite National Park, for example, itself for being alone with nature. is fortunate in being able to offer Despite the increasing numbers of much of worth and of interest to people coming into the Valley year both types of people, those who at after year, it is still possible with all times desire the conveniences of very little effort to leave the crowds modern life and those who prefer behind and to find desirable solito take their vacations with nature tude. All that one has to do is move "in the rough." For the former, a off the highway a short distance wide range of living facilities are and he is alone with the out-ofavailable, from the simplest camp doors. The crowds will continue to along the river to the luxury afpass by on busy roads, but the inforded in a million dollar hotel.

dividual who steps aside can find Splendid roads penetrate many the isolation for which he hungers. spectacular parts of the Park and Countless, restful retreats along the highly organized social activities are Merced River await the person who to be found in the more congested seeks them. Quiet zones of secluareas. sion may be found in any of the Yosemite also has much to offer several meadows which dot the the person who prefers more soliValley floor and the silence of the tude in his attempts to commune deep forest comes to those who with nature. The vast area sur wander among the trees which marsounding the Valley, especially to gin the meadows. the east, is a wonderland of scenic As one rests quietly in any of splendor. This may be penetrated these areas of solitude, he soon lose. either on foot or with pack animals the impression of being in a crowdand one may travel and fish and cd valley. Nature awakens at his camp for day, upon end with few feet and overhead and he tends to if any human contacts. Five hikers' become at one with the forces camps, organized and installed in which direct the constant and fas1923 by the Yosemite Park and cinating activities of the out-ofCurry Company and located in the doors.

missing. This would indicate that not only was the lizard swallowed head first, as is usually the case. but that the digestive juices attack that region first. The lizard seemed very limber throughout and had probably had its bones crushed by constriction. It was covered by thin transparent mucus, or digestive juice. Inquiry brought out the facts that the snake appeared rather large in girth and somewhat active for a rubber snake before he was put

So Yosemite National Park has much to offer its visitors regardless of their tastes and desires, and all those who come with a sincere purpose are able to find that which they seek most. Perhaps this is one of the chief reasons for Yosemite 's ever increasing popularity.

RUBBER SNAKE DISGORGES LIZARD

By Ranger Naturalist

PAUL W. NESBIT

On June second a rubber snake (Charina bottae Blainville), which had been caught near the upper end of the Wawona Loop Road, was sent into the Yosemite Museum by Dr. Janis Asa White. The live specimen was twenty inches long and five-eighths of an inch in diameter. It had been placed in an empty gallon size fruit tin, and paper with holes in it had been tied over the top. Upon opening the package, it was discovered that the snake had dis gorged a Bluebellied Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis Baird and Gir ard). The lizard was an unusually large specimen, measuring five and a quarter inches in length including a stub tail only an inch and a quarter long. The body of the lizard was in quite good condition, indicating that it had only recently been

swallowed. The only place where digestive activity could be noticed was on the back of the neck where some skin and soft tissues were

into the can. However, nothing was known as to what he might have eaten or when. He was handled considerably, which may help to account for the lizard having been disgorged. The skin of the snake

was quite loose when he was re could catch an animal so active as moved from the can. but this is a lizard. However, Van Denburgh characteristic of rubber snakes. in "Reptiles of Western North Am The maximum length of rubber erica, " Vol. II, p. 642, mentions two snakes is about twenty-five inches. instances of this having happened They are sometimes called twoHe also mentions a rubber snake headed snakes because of the blunt which, when handled, regurgitated tail, which is nearly as blunt as four out of six young mice which the head. They are usually found it had swallowed, and then swal in moist situations in coniferous lowed one of the four again. The forests. They are perfectly harmless usual opinion is that rubber snakes live on more inactive forms of life and quite slow of movement, so it such as slugs, worms and larvae, ir. seems rather strange that they sects. Butterfly Migration EDMUND D. GODWIN Ranger-Naturalist While it is among birds that miferences produced by weather gration is seen in its most typical changes which correspond to seaform, it also occurs in other types sonal variations. Some non-migraof animals. There has been an untory animals in a region of severe fortunate tendency, however, to apclimatic fluctuations avoid moving ply the term migration in a loose about by adapting themselves to a way to many movements of animals true hibernation state, in which the which are not, in a strict sense, true winter can be passed. Other animig_ atory activities. Migration, demals, whose life span is equal to

fined in reference to its most typithe seasonal cycle of climatic cal expression in true migrators, as change, as many of the insects, birds, salmon, seal, etc., takes the spend the severe climatic span in a form of a periodic or seasonal mass state of dormancy, the pupa. movement between a breeding place Although several kinds of butterand some other environment in flies are popularly thought of as bewhich breeding does not occur. It ing migratory, we have, in reality, is an hereditary thing being aconly one species of butterfly that tivated by those intangible stimuli, engages in the true migratory mainternal or external, that we call neuvers described above. The Moninstinct. arch (Danaus menippe, Hbn.) is the Animals that migrate do so for only known North American mione main reason that may be ingratory species. It is a member of a terpreted in the light of its various genus that is adapted to a tropical manifestations or effects as being environment; it does not have the several; the reason is climatic difpower of maintaining itself in any

of its stages throughout the winter ferent character. The butterflies may in temperate or boreal climates. In be noted traveling singly and in a consequence of these facts, it must, leisurely manner, and they probably of necessity, inasmuch as it cannot advance in accord with the progress adapt, nor can find a climate to suit of the spring season. its requirements the year around, More than statements of fact from change its position in accordance observational data would be hywith the seasons. pothetical gesticulation; we cannot In the fall of the year, one may explain these phenomena scientifisee great aggregations of these butcally. terflies at various places in the A very different type of mass United States and Canada, as they movement occurs in other species swarm to travel in a southward diof North American butterflies, and rection in large enough numbers to has given rise to the misunderstanddarken the sky. Their routes of ing that other species engage in travel seem to be definitely estabtrue migration. Outstanding exampished, apparently related in some ples are the Painted Lady (Vanessa way to water courses or coast lines, cardui), the West Coast Lady (V. so that the same paths are followed carye), the California Tortoise Shell year after year. It has been noted (Aglais californica), and the Snout that certain trees or tree groves butterfly (Libythea bachmanni). The furnish annually a resting places for "migration" of these species is not the butterflies which sometimes liin any sense the equivalent of the totally cover the trees. These trees migration of the Monarch. These have been known as "butterfly fourbutterflies have the power of trees." over-wintering in the northern It is difficult to account for the states, either as adults or chrysalids. gregarious migrating instinct of the It is not the response to an instinct Danaid, particularly in view of the that prompts a southward movefact that only certain broods in a ment in the fall for the purpose of given year take part in the migrawintering over in a favorable ention. This butterfly is polygoneutic, vironment, but rather is determined or, in other words, produces several by the scarcity of food, and perhaps generations in one year. Only the to some extent by the sudden subfall brood enters into this general sidence of the several parasites outhward movement and a totally which attack the chrysalids. It is not different generation, that of the an annual occurrence, but is noted early spring brood, moves in a at infrequent intervals. northerly direction. The southward movement is the only one that occur in association with the swarming instinct, while the northward retiring movement is of a quite difYosemite. NATURE. NOTES (Note) The discussion of Butterfly Migration in J. A. Comstock 's

BUTTERFLIES OF CALIFORNIA

has been freely drawn upon.

YOSEMITE TRAVEL RECORD

1855 to 1863

1864

1865

1866

1867

1868.—..--..—..----

1869 (z) 1,122 1870 1J35 1871 2,137 1872 2,354 1873 — x,5JV 1874 2,711 1875 2,423 1876 1,917 1877 1,392 3373 1,183 18,0 1,385 1880 1,897 1881 2,17: 1882 2,525 1883 -- 2,831 1884 2,408 1885 2,590 1C20 to 1901....(2) rVc 8,023 1901 — 8,376 1904 9,500 1905 u],103 1906.(3) 5,414 1907.(4) 7.102 1908 — 8,850 1908 13.18: 1910 13,610 1911 2,5:0 1912 0,884 1913 12,255 1914 (5) 15,154 1915 (6) ' 31,543 1916 33,393 1917 4,510 1918 3x,5u7 1918 x 8,3G2 1920 68,906 1921 — oz,5z3 1922 100,506 1923 130,o«o 1924 146,070 1925 09,16: 1926

_274,2VS

1927..(7) 4.90,430 1928 460,610 1929 Gz,25r 1930..'45n,563 1931 461.85o 1338 —. 498,23x 1933 (8) 296,088 1934 308,4:1 1935 37z,31? 1936 431.192 Note: (1 ) Overland Railroad completed. (2) No travel record kept. (3) San Francisco earthquake and fire. Yosemite Valley receded to Federal Government. (4) Yosemite Valley Railroad opened to travel. (5) End of Army administration. Autos admitted to Park. (6) Increase in travel due to automobiles, (7) Increase in travel due tococorleuvo of All Year Highway. (8) Wawona acquired. All interpark and Mariposa Grove of Big Trees travel dropped from travel record totals from 1933 on. 1936 travel if computed on old basis would h+804.o8:.

Digitized by Yosemite Online Library Dan Anderson