6 Oregon's Imported S\ ongsters. [ ZOE 
My idea that the Lavatera like Silybum, was of Mediterranean 
origin was changed in 1854 by the distinct statement of my lamented 
friend, Dr. Albert Kellogg. It is true that the botanical literature 
at his command was even more scanty than mine, but he had seen 
more of the country, and consequently knew more of its flora than 
I who by my professional duties was bound to an area not exceed- 
ing two days travel from San Francisco. As he was convinced » 
that the plant occurred in a wild state he described it, and I have 
a lively recollection of protesting against the Latin of its specific 
name ‘‘ assurgentiflora,” and also of informing him that the graceful 
curve of the pedicel which was the occasion of the name was not a 
peculiarity of the species. 
The discovery of three more species on the islands of the Cali- 
fornia coast, would go to prove that a center must have existed — 
from which the Californian species of Lavatera radiated, like the 
Mediterranean one from which radiated Z. 7) huringtaca as far north 
as central Germany, and ZL. acertfolia, so closely related to our 
species, as far west as the Canary Islands. To the scientist of 
evolutionary tendencies the co-existence of twosuch biological centers 
isolated by so great a distance as half the circumference of our 
globe, as is the case with regard to the Lavateras, presents one of 
the most interesting philosophical problems. . 
In questions of this kind the absence of botanical gardens is to 
be much regretted. Those of Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide 
have solved by simple experiment nearly all questions of this kind 
relating to the Australian flora, in its pre-colonial history and the 
agricultural and pastoral inftuences to which it became exposed. — 
The cultivation of the {Mediterranean species of Lavatera in a bo- 
tanical garden would certainly solve the question of the relation- 
ship of our forms and save us a great amount of fruitless discus- 
sion and ink. 
OREGON’S IMPORTED SONGSTERS. 
BY A. W. ANTHONY. 
Sometime in the year 1888 a society was formed in Oregon for 
the importation of European song birds. This organization was 
composed largely of the German citizens of Portland, having as 
its President Mr. Frank Dekum, President of the Portland Savings. _ 
Bank; Mr. C. F. Pfluger, Secretary, and Mr. F. Bickel, Treasurer. 
