156 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



cared for. Specimens of the scarlet Lewisia, from the tulare section of 

 California, brought to me by Dr. J. A. Veatch, a few years sirice, bad 

 roots more than half a foot long, and at least an inch in diameter, taken 

 at random. If this jilant, under merely natural conditions. 3-ields thus, 

 while the carrot and parsnip, under similar conditions, yield nothing, or 

 next to nothing, is it not a fair pi"esumption that with like care. and. at 

 fii"st, patient culture, it may also be made to jMeld its thousands of 

 bushels to the acre? These roots, let it be remembered, are not j^erhh- 

 ahle. They can also be dried and ground into meal or flour for exporta- 

 tion. The fresh or raw root is slightly pungent and spicy ; but scarcelj'' 

 one of our domesticated plants is either palatable or wholesome in its 

 native state; and many are more or less narcotic; and some even most 

 virulent poisons. The enterprising benefactor has here a ]'>lant to experi- 

 ment upon of such wonderfull}' pertinacious vitality tiiat it is even 

 capable of performing a voyage around the world, in a drj' paper, where 

 all humidit}' has been studiously avoided, and yet growing again as soon 

 as placed in the soil. It is readily multiplied by dividing the crown of 

 the root, or by the seeds, or by pulling and transplanting sprouts, similar 

 to the sweet potatoe ; probabl}^ the leaves themselves woulfl answer 

 the purpose. In conclusion, it is personally due to say that we have 

 made no effort whatever to develop its capabilities hitherto, but have 

 simply placed the plants in small pots, and neglected all culture, our 

 object being to investigate and sketch their natural forms. AVith the 

 aid of our outline figure, a detailed description is needless, as it includes 

 the whole plant. The outer, loose, thin bark of the root is red, or dirty 

 white — the inner, snowy white and farinaceous. A beautiful flower, 

 blooming onl}^ in clear sunshine, and closing up earl}' in the afternoon. 



California Live Oak — (^Quercus agri/oh'a — Nees.) 



Nature, Paganini-like, will sometimes play ujDon one string, running 

 the whole querky gamut, and thirty-seven demi-semi-quavers besides, 

 and still make most wonderful music. This science is foreshadowed and 

 remarkably exemplified in our beautiful live oak, which has almost every 

 conceivable size and form of oak leaf found in the whole book of nature. 

 In our more sportive moments, we have conceived and long cherished 

 the fanciful idea of some day illustrating a burlesque chapter on leaves, 

 taking our text from this live ti'ce. We have a perfect right to make 

 fun of it, for it has fooled and played off on us more than once. Had 

 we fully known his wild, wayward ways of visiting sundry sly nooks, 

 "in specious garb adorned," though as amiable, artless, and domestic as 

 any countiy lass, I think we would have been less likel}' to be duped. 

 In the meantime, I suppose we must treat the subject soberl}", if we can. 



The general appearance of our live oak, park-like and companionable 

 in its natural grouping, is also illusory in the extreme when viewed at 

 a distance, as though one were about to meet the old familiar apple 

 orchard — enchanted ground of other days I — pink showers, Eden odors, 

 and the whole family of pretty, blushing bloomers, magicallj' multiplied 

 — one blooming world! No, no; it's an illusion; they are not there. 

 Nothing but live oak trees, fairy cups and saucers, and teapot acorns, 

 and all that. You just did miss it, that's all. 



Along some parts of our coast timber is scarce, and our friends are 

 few; so, whenever we meet them, we give them a right heart}' good 

 welcome; a genial smile irradiates our soul when we look one of these 

 live oaks face to face. If we had our way in this wicked world, we 



