380 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



but an imperfect knowledge could be gained of that abund- 

 ant annual vernally maturing vegetation which, in all parts 

 of California lying near the level of the sea, is the glory of 

 the floral year. 



Before passing to remark upon the flora more particu- 

 larly, it will not be amiss to speak briefly of the physical 

 aspects of the island in general. 



As seen from the city of Santa Barbara, at a distance of 

 about twenty -five miles, the island of Santa Cruz appears 

 to rise, like a blue precipitous mountain range, from the 

 bosom of the sea. It is about twenty-three miles long, and, 

 in diflerent places, from three to seven miles broad, the 

 highest peaks rising to an altitude of somewhat less than 

 three thousand feet. The near approach reveals a suc- 

 cession of more or less sharply outlined hills rising one 

 behind another. This lengthwise range of mountains, 

 wdiich forms all that is seen of the island as it is approached 

 from the northern or Santa Barbara side, is intersected at 

 short intervals by deep and narrow gorges which run down 

 to the sea. In most of these running water of good quality 

 is to be found at almost any time in the year, so that the 

 northern slope may be said to be well watered; and the 

 common trees of the nearest mainland mountain districts, 

 such as the large-leaved maple (Acer macrophyUiim), live 

 oak (Quercus agrifolia), poplar (Popidus tricJwcarpa) , willow 

 (Salix Icevigata), and many more are found thriving in all 

 these canons; and yet the tree which is commonest of 

 all in similar situations on the mainland, the sycamore 

 (PlcUanus racemosa), is entirely absent from Santa Cruz. 

 The mouths of the canons afford the only landing places 

 along all the coast line. The gravelly beds of the stream- 

 lets which run down them, are the only parts of the 

 island's surface which descend at all gradually to the ocean's 

 edge. At these points, and not elsewhere, will the boatman 

 or sailor find a narrow strip of beach, and that barely com- 



