MR. HARTWEG'S JOURNAL OF A MISSION TO CALIi-ORNIA. 185 



growing out of the fig-tree. As may be supposed, the embrace 

 in time proves fatal to the palm. A species of Annona also 

 occurs here spontaneously, producing a fruit which in size and 

 shape resembles the Cheriraoyer, but bears no comparison with 

 the latter as to quality. I often saw it cultivated in the warmer 

 parts of Mexico, requiring a higlier temperature than the Che- 

 rimoyer. It is, I believe, Annona laevigata (?) ; the native name 

 is Anona. 



From La Manuela to San Bias, where we arrived the follow- 

 ing day, the country is perfectly level, subject to inundations 

 from the Rio Grande de Santiago, which empties itself by many 

 outlets into the sea a few leagues above San Bias. One of 

 these inundations happened a few days before, and left us to 

 traverse a space of five leagues knee-deep in mud. 



After a stroll upon the beach and amongst the salt marshes, 

 covered with Rhizophoras, which surround the town, I soon 

 convinced myself that I need not look for any novelties there. 



Being detained on the 8th by the incessant rain, I returned to 

 Tepic on the following day by the " Camino de aguas ;" this 

 road is considerably shorter than the one I came, and from its 

 rocky nature is passable at all times, whilst the road by La Ma- 

 nuela is several feet under water during the rainy season. 



The following observations of the amount of rain fallen in 

 Tepic from June, 1845, to March, 1846, were made by Mr. 

 Alexander Forbes, and have been kindly given me by that gen- 

 tleman : — 



Total 48-1 



This amount of 48*1 inches fallen during nine months is, 

 however, above the average in ordinary seasons. The periodical 

 rains set in about the middle of June, and terminate by the end 

 of September ; the rest of the year is usually dry. 



{To be continued.) 



