Heilprin.] -^^ [Jan. 15, 



its character. A few remarks from personal observation may not, how- 

 ever, be amiss. We found the most varied flora — i. e., in the region above 

 8000 feet — on Popocatepetl, and it was here, too, that the vegetation 

 presented itself in its most luxuriant aspect.* Taking the physiognomy 

 of the four summits into one general consideration, it may be said that 

 the most noticeable or distinctive plants are two or more species of Senecio 

 and a lupine (Lupinus vaginatus). The yellow flowers of the former and 

 the blue of the latter were an ornament to the vegetation almost every- 

 where between 10,000 and 13,000 or 13,000 feet. Senecio chrysactis, a 

 graceful plant 3-4 feet in height, reaches the limit of pines on all four of 

 the loftiest summits, rising somewhat higher, seemingly, than S. Galeotlii. 

 These yellow "asters," with the tall lupine, form a compact under- 

 growth to the upland pines, especially where the latter have been in one 

 way or another thinned into groves, leaving patches of open country in 

 their midst. In such localities the vegetation is trul}' luxuriant, and the 

 eye is charmed by the brilliancy of color which is everywhere manifest. 

 The horseman traverses a flowering prairie with his animal buried to its 

 flanks in the rank growth ; on Popocatepetl, more particularly, is this the 

 case. Above 13,000 feet we found the greatest number of species in 

 flower on Ixtaccihuatl. Here, immediately about our night's camping 

 ground, at an elevation of approximately 13,200 feet,we found a veritable 

 garden. The ground was decked with a profusion of the blood-red 

 Castilleja Tolucensis, the ca,rmme EcJieverria gibbiflora (or E. secunda?) and 

 the yellow Ageratiim arbutifolium, while from the rock-fissures protruded 

 tufts of Asplenium trichomanes (var. majiis) — the only fern we were for- 

 tunate enough to secure for our collections — and partially concealed 

 masses of Ghionolcena lavandtda, Phacelia pimpinelloidcs, etc. The mois- 

 ture which here accumulates from the melting snows combines with a 

 favorable position and exposure to sunlight towards a specially luxuriant 

 growth. At the base of the boulder mass which marks the last stage in 

 the ascent of the Nevado de Toluca— consequently at an altitude of 14,200 

 feet — we found the gmund similarly carpeted with flowers, noticeably so 

 with clumps of CustUleja Tolueensis, but at this elevation the general 

 aspect of the region was far less cheerful and inviting than on Ixtacci- 

 huatl. There was little or no grass or moss, and the Castillejas and 

 Echeverrias merely occupied sand spots between the lichen-covered rock 

 debris. The last flowers to disappear on Orizaba, so far as our own obser- 

 vations extended, were the CastilUja, already mentioned, and a Draba(D. 

 aretoides or D. Popocatepetltn^is), both of which follow close to the snow 

 line, or very nearly to 15,000 feet — possibly even above this point. The 

 last-named plant was also found on Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl, but at 

 a somewhat lower level (13,000-13,200 feet). 



* I have no doubt that the eastern face of Orizaba— the side from whicli Liebniann 

 and Galeotti made their ascents— is much more prolific in plant life than the one turned 

 towards the dry and dusty table-land (the side of San Andres Chalchicomula), whence 

 our party scaled the summit. 



