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4
Columbian Coast
(On approaching the coast anywhere north of the 42nd° of Lat. which is the boundary between Cal'a and Oregon the traveller is struck with the dense & dark growth of forest which covers the
whole country.  
[[left margin]] Part 2 page [[\left margin]] Not even a mountaintop (excepting the distant snow peaks) is bare and the trees grow down even to the edge of the salt water.)
But as we near the beach we find that there are a few open spots along its edge where the thick grass & brilliant flowers form a pleasing contrast to the gloomy forests of spruce and Pine.  The sands gradually accumulating on the shore are blown up by the pounding sea breezes of summer into ridges parallel to the water line & varying in height from 10 to 40 ft. with a width commonly of 100 or 200 yds. In some ports, as on that between Shoalwater & Grays harbors the sand hills are blown into very irregular & various shapes resembling that appearance of the waves caused by crossing winds at sea.
[[left margin]] chopping waves [[\left margin]]  As soon as the grass and other vegetation gets a hold in these hills they cease to be affected by the winds and attain their permanent form.
[[left margin]] p.6 vide Coast Pr's [[\left margin]](Here we find the ground in places completely covered with the beach strawberry which ripens in July)!  There are some plants which are the Pioneers in this vegetative process growing almost within the reach of the surf and dying as others gradually crowd in behind.
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5
Gen'l Remarks
If we land on these sandy shores during May or June we will be at once interested by the great variety and brilliance of flowers which cover the ground.  One arriving from the Atlantic coast in similar latitudes recognizes many forms very similar or identical with those of his own country while many others are quite distinct at first sight and a careful observer with the assistance of a knowledge of Botany will soon  find that there are but few exactly the same.  
[[left margin]] connections with [[\left margin]](This distinction of appearance will continue to accompany us throughout the interior and then excite many speculations on the Philosophy of specific distinctions in the influence of climate and other modifying causes.  It affects not only plants but also animals, though in some versions the species, and apparently with such want of any uniform rules, as to puzzle us much, if it does not entirely impart our former opinion.)
[[left margin]] Pinus contorta [[\left margin]]  The first tree we meet, for it grows even on the edge of the banks where the high tides of winter annually wash many of them is a species of Scrub Pine much resembling that which occupies similar situations in the Atlantic border.  It grows here only to the height of 20 or 30 ft. and a foot through near the base, but as we go into the interior we will find it occasionally forming groves about sandy prairies and becoming much larger, so as to be of much use for various rustic works, where long, light, & slender poles are needed.