VOL. II. ] Plants of Baja California. 147 
the Washingtonia furnish a prominent perch for some birds. The 
turkey buzzards of San José when not busy, either sit securely upon 
the roof of the church or unsteadily swing on the waving leaf of a 
cocoanut palm. 
CYCLANTHERA TESTUDINEA. This species is peculiar to the sum- 
mits of the mountains of the Cape Region. In its description the 
manner of disseminating the seeds was not fully described. While 
gathering specimens, I noticed that as soon as the plant was 
moved, the ripe fruit would burst and shoot the seeds into my face 
and about in all directions. Other species of the genus are said to 
have ‘‘ explosive ” fruits. 
ARRACACIA BRANDEGEI was described from specimens collected 
upon Magdalena Island, where the main stem of the plant is very 
short. In some locations of the high mountains of the Cape Re- 
gion, this stem or stalk is often four or five feet high and leaf-bear- 
ing only at the top or near it. 
CASTELA TORTUOSA abounds, especially within a mile of the 
ocean, from Magdalena Bay along the shore to Cape St. Lucas and 
around to La Paz. At San José del Cabo, it began to bloom in 
August, but although the numerous bushes were continually and 
carefully examined only staminate flowers could be found during 
September and October. Finally early in November pistillate flow- 
ers were found at La Paz. The bright scarlet fruit is rather hand- 
some and when ripe the whole bush somewhat resembles a thorny 
Lycium, but children easily distinguish them and avold the bitter 
_ tasting fruit of Castela and eat the berries of Lycium. 
CYRTOCARPA PROCERA is described in Engler’s Anacardiacee as 
a very large tree growing in the warm regions of Southern Mexico. 
The tree referred to this species in the Flora of the Cape Region is 
much smaller, but otherwise seems to be the same. Since the notes 
concerning it have been printed, flowering specimens have been re- 
ceived from the Cape Region and the flowers agree with those of 
Cyrtocarpa. Possibly comparison with specimens of Cyrtocarpa 
from Southern Mexico might prove it to be a distinct species. The 
ripe fruit is usually very pleasant to the taste, although on some 
trees it is always bitter ; the difference in taste is caused by some in- 
dividual peculiarity and such peculiarities are not uncommon 
amongst wild fruits of various genera. On a hot afternoon, far 
from water, it is always delightful to find the shade of one of these 
