144 APPENDIX. 



different species of Hibiscus, Triumfetta, and Poinsettia pulcherrima, a great variety of 

 creeping and winding plants such, as Clematis dioica, numerous Convolvulaceae, and the- 

 splendid Antigonon leptopus, which, between Mazatlan and San Sebastian, covers almost 

 every bush with its pink blossoms, are to be met with. 



" On ascending the mountains we meet, about 1500 feet above the sea-level, the first 

 evergreen Oaks, which soon increase in number of species as well as in that of indi- 

 viduals, and are, at the height of about 3000 feet, joined by various Coniferae and a 

 rich mountain vegetation. It is about at this height that the traveller realizes all the 

 ideal notions he may have conceived of fine localities and beautiful vegetation. Santa 

 Lucia, situated on the road from Mazatlan to Durango, may serve as an appropriate 

 illustration. Situated about 4000 feet above the sea, enjoying throughout the year a 

 temperate climate, it lies in a romantic valley encircled by wooded mountains which 

 admit a view of the Pacific Ocean. The houses of the Indians, scattered over an 

 undulated surface, are surrounded by a vegetation in which the graceful forms of the 

 tropics are harmoniously blended with those of the temperate zone. Mimoseae stand in 

 company with Oaks and Firs, hardy Umbelliferae and Compositse with Cupheas, 

 Lobelias, and Lophospermums ; nearly every hedge is overgrown by a splendid Ipomcea, 

 the azure blossoms of which are from four to five inches across, and set so close together 

 that hardly a leaf is to be seen, and the whole plant resembles a blue sheet, whence it 

 derives its vernacular name, ' Manto de la Virgen ' (Cloak of the Holy Virgin). 



" At a greater elevation the tropical forms disappear more and more before those 

 usually termed European — Amentaceae, Coniferae, Ericaceae, Gentianeae, Rosaceae, &c. 

 Ferns, among them two familiar acquaintances from Europe, Pteris aquilina and 

 Osmunda regalis, become more abundant, if not in species at least in individuals, 

 especially in the ravines (barrancas), localities which in these as well as in other 

 parts of Mexico are amongst the richest the botanist can explore. Near the Rancho 

 of Guadalupe the author found in one of them, among many other rare plants, 

 a Lonicera, a Hydrangea, and Chamcecyparis thurifera, a noble tree, attaining 

 the height of 100 to 150 feet, and always growing, like the Taxodium distichum, by 

 running streams. 



"The tableland is in most parts very thinly wooded. For miles and miles you 

 behold nothing save shrubby Opuntias, intermingled with Visachas (Acacia famesiana, 

 Willd.), or groups of Taxate {Juniperus tetragona, Schlecht.) ; indeed, the vicinity of 

 Durango can only boast of about seven species of indigenous trees, namely : a Willow, 

 the Acacia just named, a Prosopis, Crataegus mexicana, Taxodium distichum, Casimiroa 

 edulis, and a Yucca. These, together with a few shrubby Acanthaceae, Composite, 

 Serophularinese, and Cactese, and the everywhere prevailing Agaves, are the chief 

 representatives of the flora one meets with during the winter. Of Cacteae the immediate 

 neighbourhood offers three Opuntice, two Echinocacti, and a Mamillaria" 



