146 ; ERYTHEA. 
climate, while the adjoining mountain-slopes afford an 
extensive summer cattle-range long after the herbage of the 
lowlands has dried up. 
In scattered groves of Pinus Coulteri, the ground was 
strewn with the massive cones of this peculiar species, its 
dense scales armed with formidable hooked spines. Many o 
the cones were fully 6 inches in diameter, with a length of 
9 inches. 
The few perennial watercourses here met with are mostly 
confined within deep and inaccessible ravines; but more 
frequently scanty springs ooze out from beneath deep layers 
of porous strata, and spread out into boggy marshes, generally 
choked up with rank Willow and Alder growths, and occa- 
sionally expand into small meadows of coarse grass and 
sedges. 
On all the steep gravelly slopes adjoining, there was the 
usual display of Californian evergreen shrubbery, including 
the Heath-like Adenostoma (which under the name of 
‘chamisal,’ is largely used for fuel), the Holly-leaved Cherry 
(Prunus ilicifolia) exhaling a strong odor of bitter almonds, 
the Heteromeles arbutifolia, with glossy varnished leaves, 
and a prevalent form of ‘California Lilac’ (Ceanothus 
crassifolius), with thick leathery foliage. The dull green 
hue which everywhere characterises the moorish growth, is 
at this time of the year partly relieved by brilliant scarlet 
festoons of Pentstemon cordifolius trailing over adjoining 
bushes, or the less showy blossoms of P. ternatus. 
But what soon attracted more exclusive attention. was a 
conspicuous yellow Lily growing abundantly on the boggy 
ground adjoining Messrs. Rings’ house, and sharing with the 
potato-patch the care and attention of the undisputed 
possessors of the soil. Though not so showy as some other 
members of the Lily family in this region, there is a grace 
displayed in its large drooping flowers, surmounting a slender 
stem beset with narrow scattered leaves, which are occasion- 
ally crowded at the base into a distinct whor!.” 
