December 7, 1907 127 
very stiff, and about a meter in height. AHosackia rigtda was 
in ripe fruit. The pods are brown, glabrous and shining, 
2.5-3.5cem. long; seeds 15 or more, short-oblong, 2. mm long. 
A day was devoted to the exploration of the precipitous 
cliffs which form the eastern barrier of the valley. Here, in the 
dryest and barrenest of soils, were growing many characteristic 
desert plants, in fine condition—AHoffmanseggia microphylla, 
_Mentzelia involucrata, Mohavea viscida, Chaenactis carphoctinia, 
and others. In places the ground was brightened with the daisy- 
like Eremiastrum belliotdes. But most interesting was Lang- 
loisia setosissima, growing on the talus of the cliffs. The plants 
were 3-5cm. tall, stiffly erect, the stems simple, or few-branched, 
the flowers of a clear bright blue, borne in terminal flat-topped 
clusters. It is quite distinct from ZL. punctata of the Mojave 
desert. 
The return across the valley afforded a good opportunity for 
observing the arboreal flora. The most abundant tree is Da/ea 
spinosa, growing, for the most part in small groves, on the 
coarser soils of the mesas. The slender, spinescent branchlets 
are densely matted, and the whole tree has a dingy appearance, 
due to the gray-green color of the bark. Only the closest in- 
spection detects a few insignificant pinnate leaves. But in June 
it is said to clothe itself with a inantle of rich purple blossoms. 
The desert willow affects dry water-courses, and while it 
has graceful foliage and showy flowers, its habit is usually strag- 
gling and ungainly. An occasional well-shaped specimen dem- 
onstrates its possibilities, 
The handsomest as well as the largest tree of the valley is 
Parkinsonia Torreyana. <A noble specimen in the edge of the 
village has a spread of branches of 16m., and its whole top was 
a dome of golden yellow blossoms. 
An interesting tree, growing in canyons, is Coxdalia Par- 
ryt. Usually of rough habit, and often little better than a shrub, 
it sometimes attains a height of over 5 m. and a presentable out- 
line. The finest specimens are to be found in Snow Creek can- 
