92 



I wish to express here my thanks to Dr. George Yasey, Botanist of 

 the Agricultural Department, under whose direction this report has 

 been prepared, an<l whose ready familiarity with North Americau 

 plants has been a great source of help ; to Dr. Sereuo Watson and his 

 assistant. Dr. B. F. Kobinson, for courtesies shown me while at Gray 

 Herbarium ; to Mr. Wm. M. Canby for the generous loaning of many 

 plants, and for aid in diflicult determinations ; and to various special- 

 ists, both at home and abroad, who have given help in their separate 

 lines, which is credited in the proper place in the text, 



PLANTS COLLECTED AT ALAMOS. 



Alamos or Los Alamos is a mining town of about 10,000 inhabitants, sit. 

 uated 180 miles southeast from Guaymas. Its altitude is 1,275 feet above 

 sea level. Two visits were made here, one in the dry season, March 2G 

 to April 8; the other during the rainy season, September IG to 30. The 

 flora of the two seasons is very different, and only 8 or 10 species 

 are duplicated in the two collections. The collection in the spring 

 yielded about 130 species (Nos. 270 to 414) ; of these, 18 are new. The 

 fall collection contained about 120 species, 25 of which are new. The 

 following interesting facts are gathered from Dr. Palmer's notes. The 

 beginning and ending of the rainy season varies somewhat; generally it 

 commences in July and lasts until the first week of October. After the 

 first good rains vegetation springs up as by magic, grows rapidly, then 

 disappears nearly as quickly as it came ; it is at its best in August. 

 The soil is mostly poor and rocky except in the valley. 



While at Alamos, Dr. Palmer visited the Alamos Sierra or Sierra de 

 los Alamos, a mountain miles due south of the town of Alamos. Of 

 the 75 species collected here 13 were indeterminable ; of the 62 remain- 

 ing ones 18, or more than one fourth, are new. The total number of 

 species collected at Alamos and vicinity was 203, of which 30 were itide- 

 terminableS and of the 227 remaining 43 are new. Among the plants of 

 this collection are many very beautiful ones which should claim the at- 

 tention of cultivators. Of these we cite: Ileteropterys Portillanaj a 

 recent species described by Mr. Watson. This is especially attractive 

 for its large clusters of red fruit. It is very common at Alamos and 

 could easily be obtained for cultivation. 



Galphimia Humboldtiana, a rare plant in herbaria, is a common and 

 attractive shrub of the mountains here. It is to 8 feet high, with a 

 handsome top,large racemes of yellow flowers, and attractive foliage. 



Cordia Sonorw is a new species, a very beautiful shrub or small tree, 

 and an abundant bloomer. 



1 It is proper to state here tliiit tlie reason so many of these plauts are not deter- 

 mined ia because Dr. ruliner collected a number in the dry season, which were not in 

 a proper condition, hoping to supplement them in the rainy season ; but he was unable 

 to reeoUet them. 



