120 . BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



trail across the folds of the panorama described, in long, swinging 

 curves in and out. It was often blocked up by debris or guarded 

 by cactus or thorn bushes, but over or through these 1 struggled, 

 passing fold after fold, of the long series; a sheer precipice of 1,000 

 feet below, an equally high and steep one over head, the way often 

 narrowed to a foot in width and in several places, seemingly im- 

 passable. In the desperate straits when the carrying of my heavy 

 portfolio before me almost tipped me over, I was tempted to cast it 

 away or at least to leave it in the path until refreshed by food and 

 rest another day. 



But this recreancy was but momentary, and now clutching the 

 bundle tightly 1 would have fallen rather than relinquished it. At 

 last with torn garments and lacerated flesh, with tottering steps 

 and dizzy brain, obstacle after obstacle was surmounted and 1 stood 

 — or rather fell forward — upon terra Jjrma. saved! 



Reporting adventures and showing trophies to Mrs. L. at 

 night, she was seized with uncontrollable desire to look into the 

 wonderful fern album too. So after resting and recuperating a 

 day I conducted her — dressed properly for the occasion — up the 

 mountain and admitted her by the side entrance, with the aid of 

 hatchet and pick. Stouter hearts than woman's might have quailed 

 at the imminent perils passed, but at the narrow places she faced 

 the wall, carefully side-stepped along several feet, and so pressed 

 forward. At every outward curve of the long course, there is a 

 little landing, it may be of debris, or a clear space and here she 

 caught glimpses of the radiant treasures in the center of the 

 volume. Nearer and clearer they grew and louder and more em- 

 phatic were her exclamations of admiration and awe. 



Though the trip was toilsome, and terrifying, and though we 

 came near being caught . by an Arizona cloud-burst so-called 

 or sudden torrent that thundered down the gorge at a moments 

 warning, yet she highly enjoyed the adventure and declared that 

 in all her extensive travel this natural conservatory in grandeur 

 and beauty exceeds any one object she has seen on the Pacific 

 slope. 



Rumors of the discovery having reached Fort Huachuca, 10 

 miles distant, two days after an officer with his lady drove one to 

 our camp and I led him up to the conservatory and through the 

 private entrance. 



As we rojmded the folds of the rock-wall, one after another, it 

 was refreshing to witness his enthusiasm. 



He is accustomed to target-firing and to measuring heights 

 and his estimates of distances coincide with mine in the foregoing 

 paragraphs. 



Two days ago I sought to explore another box-canyon on the 

 south side of the mountain. It is at a much higher elevation and 

 is twice as large every way. 1 found several more rare ferns, but 



