214 Mr. J. C. Melvill on a 



Notes on a small collection of Plants, collected in 

 S. W. Colorado, by Mr. J. Cardwell Lees. By 

 James Cosmo Melvill, M.A., F.L.S. 



{Received April i8th, i8gj.) 



From April till August, 1892, Mr. Cardwell Lees, of 

 Alkrington Hall, Middleton, was one of a surveying party 

 in South Western Colorado, near where the boundaries of 

 this state, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. 



The country traversed seems to have been only visited 

 previously, so far as the formation of botanical collections is 

 concerned, by Hayden's U. S. Exploring Expedition about 

 nineteen years ago. 



It is extremely mountainous, and intersected by pro- 

 found chasms, gorges, and precipitous canons — being 

 consequently very arduous to traverse, the maximum height, 

 perhaps, being not far short of 10,000 feet, but most of the 

 plants to be enumerated were obtained at from 3,000 to 

 6,000 feet. 



The geological formation, for the most part, is mountain 

 limestone. 



To the north, the valley of the San Miguel River may 

 be considered the head-quarters of the expedition ; and to 

 the south of this, the Uncompahgre region. Long. 108° N., 

 Lat. 38° W. 



Under very exceptional difficulties this interesting 

 little collection was gathered by Mr. Lees, the specimens 

 being well selected and well preserved, and partly no doubt 

 owing to the very dry atmosphere, the colours of the 

 flowers have been marvellously retained. 



Though not a large collection, it affords a very fair 



