74 ERYTHEA. 



slender, exserted bracts become gemmed with drops of resin. The 

 upper part of the tree seems full of odd-looking birdnests set with 

 diamonds. The beauty of the fruit-laden branches can perhaps be 

 imagined. 



Further north, near the foot of Santa Lucia Peak, a third trail 

 (spoken of above) crosses these mountains. It is known by the 

 name of the Santa Lucia trail, and is the most rugged but most 

 attractive of all the trails. Long ago it was much traveled by the 

 Indians, but now a traveler rarely crosses the mountain by that 

 route. It passes through the only grove of Pimis Lumbertkma now 

 left in these mountains. The writer can never forget the amaze- 

 ment and delight experienced when coming upon this grove. One 

 or two young trees had been seen on the way up the eastern slope, 

 but their identity was only guessed at until the magnificent trees far 

 above and beyond were discovered. Pinus Lambertiana is said to 

 have been abundant formerly on the slopes of Santa Lucia Peak, 

 and a few trees are yet left. Libocedrus decurrens, also, then grew 

 on the mountain. While the San Antonio ^'dission flourished, the 

 best timber on Santa Lucia Peak Avas cut down, and these two valua- 

 ble species were almost utterly destro^^ed. In those days it is said 

 that the Naciraiento and San Antonio Valleys were "black with 

 Indians." Their houses, fields, and aqueducts gave life to the hills 

 and valleys over wliicli the beautiful oaks alone nov/ seem to hold 

 sway. Were it not for the few survivors in almost inaccessible 

 places, and the timbers and other relics of the San Antonio Mission, 

 the story of the former prevalence of the Sugar Pine and Incense 

 Cedar would scarcelv be credited. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF DR. W. P. GIBBONS. 



By Willis L. Jepson. 



The pioneer botanists of California were mostly men whose pro- 

 fession was that of a physician but who possessed a decided taste for 

 the study of natural history as a pure science. The very attractive 

 and largely unworked flora of California strongly impelled towards 

 the gratification of this taste. There were not many physicians of 



