PARRY CEANOTHUS. 191 



due to the fact that the published descriptions since the original, Torr. 

 & Gray, N. Am. FL, I., p. 268 (which is clear enough except in the 

 statement of flowers being white), have been made to cover at least 

 two very distinct species, especially the one I have recently distinguished 

 as C. foliosus, Parry, 1. c. 



At the time of my visit, May 12, it was already past flowering, except 

 some belated shoots which belonged rather to a second forced growth 

 the present season. In these the bright blue color was conspicuous, 

 but there was lacking the prolonged peduncle of the regular flowering 

 season. This fact suggests an explanation that would seem to justify 

 the proposed union of C. floribundus, Hook., with C. den tat us, Torr. & 

 Gray, the former being known only in cultivation, and mainly distin- 

 guished from the latter in its condensed inflorescence, which may reas- 

 onably be regarded as due to the widely different condition of cultivation 

 in a remote district. 



From detailed notes then made on the spot, as well as a subsequent 

 visit six weeks later, the following additional data are herewith given as 

 representing the genuine C. dentatus, Torr. & Gr. : 



Three to four feet in height, densely-branched spreading, with reddish 

 bark on the older stems, inclined to be angular on the younger shoots 

 by the decurrence of the petioles; leaves short petiolate, densely fasci- 

 culate in the axils, variable in size, 10-25 mm - i n length, oblong ovate 

 in outline, by the strongly revolute margins and inflexed tip assuming a 

 truncate wedge shape, smooth, light yellowish green above, canescent 

 hairy below, with strongly pinnate veins, irregularly toothed, tipped 

 with conspicuous stalked glands; stipules conspicuous, often coated 

 with a resinous exudation; inflorescence terminal, globular, on pro- 

 longed peduncles, or in premature shoots later in the season showing a 

 prolonged leafy spike; fruit 4 mm. broad, distinctly crested, the resin- 

 ous coated epicarp deciduous at maturity. Flowering in March, fruit 

 in May. 



In the latter part of May, and early June, a trip was made to the 

 Upper Sacramento, with a special view to study the different phases of 

 the somewhat variable but easily recognized Ceanothus integerrimus, 

 Hook. & Arn. The results helped to confirm the view previously ex- 

 pressed in regarding all the forms so widely spread through the mount- 

 ain districts of California as properly belonging to a single somewhat 

 variable species. Thus, in passing over the country in various direc- 

 tions at lower or higher elevation, it was everywhere noted as a grace- 

 ful, slender-branched shrub, displaying its more or less prolonged thyr- 



