CALIFORNIA. a) 
be strangers to us, since we have touched so much on the coast. Composite now 
cease to be so abundant, but a few herbaceous species were collected. Euphor- 
biaceé are very numerous and equally curious, and they rank next to Composite 
in the physionomy of the vegetation. Cactee are next in prominence, with 
new additions to their species. Leguminose, Scrophularinee and Labiata, are all 
feebly represented. Tropical features are becoming decidedly developed. A 
solitary cruciferous plant flourishes on the arid sides of the hills.—Nov. 10th. 
Two days since our surveyors returned from the examination of an estero or 
creek, They had been also searching for water, a stream of which we have 
scarcely seen in lower California, and were unsuccessful ; they, however, brought 
me some news of the vegetation. The mangrove abounds on the margins, and 
this is the most northern station of our observation. The Cactus was growing to 
an enormous size, and more species were seen and collected. The trunk of one 
tree measured upwards of six feet in circumference, and each of the three 
branches into which it was divided between four and five feet.—Nov. 19th. 
Since the above I have gathered the mangrove, Rhizophora Mangle, myself. 
Like the rest of the vegetation it is stunted, not usually exceeding four feet, 
never six. I have also seen some attempts at trees ; imagine what the bones and 
muscles of a giant would be distorted into three feet, such looked these trees. 
They twisted and twirled, but could not assume the erect position. Their 
diameters were far from inconsiderable. 
But my brief notes are already too copious. As we left the Bay of 
Magdalena thin fleecy clouds began to spread over its clear sky, and indicated 
the near approach of the rainy season ; and then would be called into active 
life and vigour a host of beautiful flowers, which we were not to gather. Indeed 
our visit was in the most inopportune onesie of the whole year, so far as vegetation 
was concerned. 
We afterwards landed at Cape San Lucas, and not without profit. The 
Cactee here, as elsewhere, were studiously sought after, and behind the raised 
beach is a fine array of trees, with all their singularity and interest. The after- 
part of the vessel by this time presented a small forest of them, but though 
tended with much care, and with a due regard to their constitutions, they one > by 
one pined and died during the subsequent voyage.—Eb. | 
The flora of this country is particularly interesting, as forming the connecting 
link between the north-west and the tropical vegetation. The species collected 
in Upper California are for the most part already published in the Botany of 
Captain Beechey’s Voyage, or in Torrey and Gray’s Flora. As species they are 
generally peculiar to the districts where they are found, but belong chiefly to the 
c 
