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10 2nd Region [[left margin]] A [[\left margin]] [[diagonal line through text]] So sudden and great is the change in the vegetation on passing the divide of the Coast Range that we might fancy ourselves [[strikethrough]]suddenly &[[/strikethrough]] to have been magically transported some hundred miles in the course of an hour's walk - Along the rivers this change is somewhat less marked but still sufficiently evident. [[\diagonal line through text]] [[left margin]] B [[\left margin]] [[left margin]] Oak [[\left margin]] In travelling on the Columbia when we arrive at a point miles from its mouth the Oak suddenly appears, and this point is just where the river has forced a passage through the mountains. [[left margin]] C [[\left margin]] On the Chehalis also the Oak is limited at a corresponding point, and on the Willapa and other small rivers arising in the Coast Range both the Oak & Ash are entirely wanting ! [[left margin]] P.8.A. Shrubs & herbs. descr. [[\left margin]] Not only are the prevailing forest trees different but almost all the shrubs and herbaceous plants. (Here describe some of the most striking species) [[left margin]] Climate & soil - [[\left margin]] Climate and soil are as usual the great causes of change in vegetation. Much of the mists and winds from the sea being intercepted by the coast range. The Valley region is drier than the coast. This dryness is increased by a gravelly soil which reaches to a depth of over 100 feet in many places, and prevails over the whole region as far as I have seen. [[left margin]] P.8.B [[\left margin]] [[end page]] [[start page]] 11 River banks [[left margin]] (Continuation of Report from page 33.) [[\left margin]] The immediate banks of the Columbia and of the other rivers throughout that part of Oregon & Washington territories west of the Cascade Range, form a very peculiar subregion, distinct from the surrounding high lands. [[left margin]] Soil [[\left margin]] The soil, (except where the rocks approach the water) consists of sandy alluvium, deposited and increased every summer by the floods. [[left margin]] floods [[\left margin]] The annual over flowing of these bottoms also has a marked effect on their vegetation. Occurring from the 1st of May to the end of July, it runs & of course prevents entirely that growth of many plants while it appears to favor that of others. [[left margin]] Poplars & Willows [[\left margin]] Here we find the [[strikethrough]] Oregon[[\strikethrough]] Cottonwood and Narrow leaf Poplars, with their smaller relatives, the Willows, of many species. Both line the banks of the rivers in dense groves. [[left margin]] Shrubs [[\left margin]] The underbrush of Snowberry and [[?Carnd]] making travelling utterly impassible. These four plants thrive during the growing season, immersed in four or five feet of water for several weeks. On some streams they are also subject to overflow during the winter floods, for shorter periods. [[left margin]] Meadows [[\left margin]] Places still lower on the Columbia do not produce trees, but after the subsidence of the water are covered by a luxuriant growth of grass and many beautiful flowers. (Describe the above trees & shrubs)
