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STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 153 



the latter part of September (eighteen hundred and sixty-five) the tree 

 had its anients strongly developed; cones decidedl}' pendulous." 



It seems requisite, even at the risk of being obscure, to give a few 

 descriptive details. They are, however, almost useless to tlie general 

 reader without illustrations, and we are half inclined to omit them 

 altogether, hoping better provision will be made in future. As the 

 j)eculiar forms of this tree are little known, it may be stated that the 

 cones are very small, oblong-oval, the feather}- scales in opposite pairs, 

 face to face, a few small abortive ones at the base; leaves more awl- 

 pointed; little scales in opposite pairs running down the twigs, as the 

 specific name implies. The generic name signifies incense cedar, on 

 account of the fragrant odor when burned. Would that more incense of 

 kindl}^ charit}' to our fellow men were offered on the golden altars of 

 California — a rest to Jehovah indeed! worthy the Golden State ! 



California Nutmeg — (^Torreya Ccdlfomica — Torr.) 



We simply notice this for the sake of the information concerning its 

 localities, but shall recur to it again. We quote from Professor Bolan- 

 der's communication before referred to : '-Paper mill, Marin County; 

 Ukiah ; Mendocino Ciiy; Forest Hill. Generally dispersed; only at 

 Ukiah I found quite a group; wood valuable." 



Pompous, or Pop Pea — (Phaca NuttalUi. Tor. & Gray. Perhaps more 

 recently recognized under Astragalus.) 



Several species of this family are also called bastard vetch, or Indian 

 pea; to our herdsmen, and especiallj- California woolgrowers, known by 

 some to their sorrow, as bladder pea, rattleweed, etc. This plant has 

 been often brought to our notice as a weed in general avoided bj- stock; 

 but any careful observer may frequently see where the top has been 

 bitten off. In close cropped fields, where horses and cattle are pinched 

 by hunger, it is sometimes eaten, and is apt to prove fatal. Indeed, such 

 ample testimonj- has come to our knowledge, from the most reliable and 

 various sources, that there can be no doubt of its woful havoc among 

 sheej). The close cropping alluded to is not that of low, marshy land, 

 which is also fatal, but from quite another cause; this latter kind of 

 close feeding causes the rot and fluke, diseases well known. On the con- 

 trary, our plant is a pest of pastures high and dry, those presumed to be 

 best adapted for sheep grazing. The 83'mptoms are a peculiar infatua- 

 tion. When once initiated, they crop, and are strangely intoxicated; 

 they continue to crop, and pine away and mope, half stupid. Now 

 neglecting their busy search for other food, they more than half lose 

 their usual lively sense of companionship, or abandon the herd alto- 

 gether, taking to the weed as a sot to his cups, or as an opium eater; 

 lured ere long to ruin, they finally die. We know of no remedy in such 

 cases save the obvious one of knowing the cause, and using all due pre- 

 caution. 



We have heard of other diseases which we wish to see investigated 

 with great care, and we hope those more immediately interested will make 

 thorough examinations by opening the stomachs, and let their contents 

 be made known to us, and, if possible, by sending similar plants. If 

 reliance is placed upon the multiplicity of common (unscientific) names, 



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