226 MR. HARTWEG'S JOURNAL OF A MISSION TO CALIFORNIA. 



Descending the western flank of the great mountain range, I 

 found at last the long-wished-for Abies bracteata, occupying ex- 

 clusivejy ravines. This remarkable Fir attains the height of 50 

 feet, with a stem from 12 to 15 feet in diameter, one-third of 

 which is clear of branches, and the remainder forming an elon- 

 gated tapering pyramid, of which the upper part, for three feet, 

 is productive of cones. Having cut down some trees, I found to 

 my regret that the cones were but half-grown, and had been frost- 

 bitten. In more sheltered situations, towards the sea-shore, the 

 same happened to be the case ; and I was thus precluded all hope 

 of introducing this remarkable Fir into Europe. 



Finding it impracticable to prosecute my journey to the south 

 along the coast, from the numerous ravines wliich descend from 

 the mountain range, I returned hence to San Antonio, and crossed 

 by^ tlie farm of El Piojo, where tlie ridge is less elevated. A small 

 Pine wood, which became visible on our descent, extending along 

 the beach, looked like an oasis in the desert — the dark green 

 of the Pines forming a beautiful contrast with the parched-up 

 fields. Upon a nearer examination I found the wood to be com- 

 posed of a variety of Pinus insignis, with larger cones than those 

 about Monterey, from which it also differs in their being pro- 

 duced in less abundance. Following along the sea-shore for nine 

 miles, we struck inland again, and arrived at the mission of San 

 Luis Obispo, from whence we proceeded over a flat and uninte- 

 resting country to tlie mission of Santa Ines. Tlie whole of this 

 route is but poorly wooded by a few stunted Oaks, On the ascent 

 to the mission of La Purissima, the monotony of the bare hills 

 was somewhat relieved by a small forest of Pinus Edgariana, 

 which attains no larger size than those observed near Monterey. 



Previous to leaving Monterey I was told by several persons 

 that a kind of thin-shelled pine-mit is occasionally brought for 

 sale by the Indians to Santa Ines and Santa Barbara, without 

 being able to learn any more respecting it. Upon making further 

 inquiries at Santa Ines, I was told that the Indians bring them 

 from a great distance, that the harvest of them was over, but 

 that I might procure a few of the mission Indians. Proceeding 

 to a hut which was pointed out to me, I bought a gallon of the 

 fresh seeds ; and inquiring about the size of the cones, the Indian 

 handed me two, with the information that the trees are of a small 

 size, when, judge my surprise, I recognised in them those of 

 Pinus Llaveana, which I had on former occasions found in several 

 parts of Mexico. 



Seeing there was no prospect of enriching my collection of 

 seeds by proceeding further to the south, I returned from Santa 

 Ines to San Luis Obispo, near which mission the late Dr. Coulter 

 gives the station of Piiuis muricata, and which seemed to have 



