152 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



variable. At Monterey, about two miles from the coast, I saw upon 

 exposed granitic rocks, but slightly disintegrated, specimens only six 

 inches high, bearing perfect cones. Going westward, at the same dis- 

 tance from the ocean I found specimens in a depression, associated with 

 P. muricata, from ten to fifteen feet high, full with cones; and extending 

 ray walk to Cypress Point — a distance of three or four miles — I was 

 surprised in finding a large grove of this species, containing mostly 

 large trees of great beauty and perfection. The average height rnaj^ be 

 from forty to sixty feet ; and as they were (nigh at the Point) almost 

 all alike in thickness, I measured but three, finding their circumference 

 to be one hundred and nineteen, one hundred and four, and one hundred 

 and twenty inches, about four feet above the ground. 



" At this point these trees are almost daily enwrapped in a dense fog. 

 Their branches are very compactly lapped and depressed, retaining the 

 moisture to such an extent that the thick clusters of cones are quite 

 mouldy. Between the cones and little dense branchlets settles a great 

 deal of rubbish, which is almost dripping wet. It is undoubtedly owing 

 to this very fact that so many seeds of this species collected there prove 

 abortive. 



" Seeing so gi'cat a variation at Monterey, I do not hesitate to refer 

 all specimens seen at the other localities mentioned above, to this species 

 at present. 



" On the plains near Mendocino City that species exhibited about the 

 same gradations, although not so strikingly, as at Monterey." 



California Yew Tree. — (^Taxus brevi/olia. — Nutt.) 



"We refer briefly to this tree, hoping in future to illustrate it. Profes- 

 sor Bolander, in his paper on California trees, December fourth, A. D. 

 eighteen hundred and sixty-five, frequently quoted, says he " found it 

 at Devil's Canon, near Forest Hill 1 a handsome tree, twenty to thirty 

 feet high, with extremely slender and drooping branches, dispersed, but 

 plenty — wood very valuable." 



California White Cedar — (Lihocedrm decurrem — Tor.) 



This hardy and noble evergreen tree is reported on the Klamath 

 Mountains, at five thousand feet elevation, and also on Scott River, in 

 sandy soils, growing from forty to one hundred and forty feet high, 

 three to five feet in diameter. Dufiield's Ranch. At McCamber's, in the 

 northern part of the State, it is even said to be seven feet in diameter, 

 rivalling the sugar pine. This tree is desci'ibed as flat by somej others 

 speak of its form as conical ; stem not cylindrical ; bark, shreddy, fibrous; 

 the trunk below bristling with dead, persistent branches. The trees cut 

 for the saw mill, Doctor Newberry says he often noticed, though exter- 

 nally sound, were affected by a kind of dry rot, and thus hone3--conibed, 

 were rendered valueless. Professor Bolander, in the article before 

 referred to, says it is found at Forest Hill, "forming quite extensive 

 woods there. Rancheria Creek; Mendocino Count}'; east of Salinas 

 River; Monterey County— by Doctor Canfield; east of San Diego ; on 

 the banks of Rancheria Creek ; in the southwestern part of Mendocino 

 County, I found a small colony of this handsome tree. The largest were 

 about forty to sixty feet high, two to three feet in diameter. Judging 

 from the young aftergrowth, the tree seems likely to spread. 1 was 

 informed this was the only place in the county where it is found. In 



