372 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1898. 



BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE MEXICAN FLORA, ESPECIALLY 

 ON THE FLORA OF THE VALLEY OF MEXICO. 



BY JOHN W. HARSHBERGER, PH. D. 



Leaving Philadelphia, Tuesday August 4, 1896, for a botanical 

 excursion to Mexico, the capital of the Republic was reached Tues- 

 day August 11th, at 6 p. m. Several stops were made en route, one 

 at St. Louis, where the Missouri Botanical Garden was visited, and 

 one at Eagle Pass, Texas, where Sunday was spent. During the 

 sojourn in the City of Mexico, numerous botanical trips were made 

 into the surrounding country in company with Mr. C. G. Pringle, 

 to whom I extend my most hearty thanks for much kindness and 

 suggestive help. The itinerary is herewith given. 



ITINERARY. 



August 12, 1896, {Wednesday). — Visited a number of the lots in 

 the City of Mexico, where cattle and burros are allowed to roam at 

 will, and where a number of interesting plants were collected. 



August 13th, (Thursday). — Mr. Pringle, Tranquelino Duran, a 

 Mexican boy, and the writer visited Salazar by the National Railroad. 

 Salazar is situated on the crest of the western mountain ridge, 

 known as the Sierra de las Cruces. Here was fought, in 1810, the 

 battle between Hidalgo and the Spaniards, resulting in a victory for 

 the patriots. Salazar is situated at an elevation of from 10,000 to 

 11,000 feet above sea level. Many cool springs gush from the hill- 

 sides, mostly denuded of timber, and many alpine plants were found 

 in the upland meadows. 



August 15th, (Saturday). — Tlalpam was visited this day. In 

 reaching this town, we passed through Cherubusco, made famous by 

 the fight there between the Americans and Mexicans. Tlalpam is 

 a quiet suburban town of some 7,000 inhabitants, fourteen miles 

 south of the City of Mexico. There are many flower and fruit gar- 

 dens hereabouts, for the supply of the city markets ; important fac- 

 tories of cotton, woollen cloth and paper are in the neighborhood. 

 The eastern road from Tlalpam leads to Lake Xochimilcho, where 

 we gathered the several interesting aquatics found on and near the 



