144 NOTES OX LILIKS 



brothers, J. G. and F. !M. RiiiLT iit their inountaiu retreat near San 

 Gorgonio Pass. Leaving the broad and picturesque basin of the Santa 

 Anna Valley, near the emergence of this stream from the ragged momitain 

 wall of the San Bernardino range, our route, after crossing Mill Creek, 

 one of its largest eastern affluents, hugged close to the foot-hills bordering 

 the ujiper Yucaipa Valley, tlienco by a more rapid ascent in a neai'ly 

 direct easterly course, wo reach an elevated bench, variously scattered 

 ■with pine and oak groves, overlooking the broad sweep of San Gorgonio 

 Pass, now traversed by the eastern extension of the Southern Pacific 

 Railroad. In one of these mountain nooks the Messrs. Ring have located 

 a Potato ranch, the elevation of over 1,000 leet above the sea level giving 

 a sufficientl}^ cool moist climate, while the adjoining mountain slopes afford 

 an extensive summer cattle range long alter the herbage of the lowlands 

 has dried up. 



" Owing to the lateness of the season, the early vegetation of this 

 district had already given place to a more sparse mid-summer growth. 

 In scattering groves of Pinus Coulteri, the ground was abundantly strewn 

 with the massive cones of this peculiar species, its dense scales armed with 

 formidable hooked spines ; many of the largest cones were fully six 

 inches in diameter, with o, length of nine inches. At lower elevations 

 throughout this district we find the large fruited Douglas Spruce quite 

 common, this well marked variety in other particulars exhibiting the 

 specific characters of this species in more northern and eastern localities. 

 Among the rarities of this district we were able to secure a few specimens 

 of Habenaria elcgans (Colander). The occasional perennial water courses 

 here met with are mostly confined within deep and inaccessible ravines, 

 but more frequently scant springs ooze out from beneath deep layers of 

 jiorous strata, and spread out into boggy marshes generally choked up 

 with rank willow and older growths, and occasionally expanding into 

 small meadows of coarse grass and sedges. Near one of these hirgest 

 expanses of moist, rich soil, is located the Potato ranch of ilessrs. Ring, 

 the special object of our visit. It is quite unusual, though none the less 

 agreeable, to find in such secluded and unpretentious residences, indications 

 of a refined taste exhibited in an excellent library, largely composed of 

 scientific works, and books of exploration and travel, besides the necessary 

 instruments for keeping up a meteorological record ! No doubt from such 

 resources the bachelor brothers find some relief from the tedium of their 

 isolated location, and after the excitement and hardships of extensive 

 travels on the north-west coast, seem reconciled to the independent 

 solitude of a mountain ranch, 



" Succeeding a cordial welcome, and the necessary caTe of our riding 

 animals, the vegetation of this curious nook engaged our attention. (Jn 

 all the steep, gravelly slopes adjoining, there was the usual display of 

 Californian evergreen shrubbery, including conspicuously the heath-like 

 Adenostoma, which, under the common name of Chamisal, is largely used 

 for fuel ; the holl^'-leaved cherry Prunus ilicifolia, exhaling a strong odour 

 of bitter almonds; the Heterorneles arbutifolia, with glossy varnished 

 leaves, and a prevalent form of " Californian lilac" (Ceanothus crassifblius), 

 with thick leathery foliage ; the dull, green hue which everywhere 



