458 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



delicate perfume of its capitate, yellow flowers. Pretty also are the' 

 shrubby Acacia amentacea and Rcemeriana, growing on gravelly hills. 



The other ligneous Leguminosaj deserving mention are : The Frijolillo 

 {Sophora secundiflora), a dark green shrub, on rocky grounds, with thick 

 bunches of rank violet flowers early in tlie spring, and poisonous scarlet 

 beans in summer 5 SopJiora affinis, a small tree with green bark, loosely- 

 clustered flowers (in March) and beaded pod; the Eetama {Parlcinsonia 

 actileafa), an elegant ornamental tree more common on the Lower Eio 

 Grande; Ccesalpinia pulcherrima, a bush with gorgeous orange flowers, 

 common in gardens, introduced from Mexico; the Honey Locust {Gledit- 

 schia triacanthos), mostly cultivated. 



Largest and most conspicuous of trees along the river is the lordly 

 Pecan [Carya olivceformis), attaining here an enormous size, and the 

 Cottonwood [Populus monilifera). Less common are Black Walnut 

 {Juglans nigra), Bald Cypress {Taxodium distichum), Black Willow 

 {Salix nigra), Green Ash [Fraxinus viridis, var., Berlandieriana). 



Of the Urticacese there are several members : The common Hack- 

 berry [Geltis occidentalis), a rather handsome tree 1 to 2 feet in diame- 

 ter, affecting several forms; the Thorny Hackberry or Granjeno of 

 the Mexicans [Geltis pallida of Torrey), a stiff shrub bearing insipid 

 yellow berries ; the Ked Mulberry (Morus rubra), growing everywhere 

 and yielding luscious fruit ; the Wild Mulberry {Morua microphylla), 

 along the river; the Paper Mulberry {Broussonetia papyri/era), common 

 in yards; the Water Elm {Ulmus crassifolia), a middle-sized tree along 

 streams, and the only Elm seen about San Antonio ; the Osage Orange 

 {Madura aurantiaca). 



The Live Oak (Quercus virens), a large tree, forms the main feature of 

 the arboreal vegetation on the higker grounds of the valley. Another 

 Oak, smaller and less common, a form of Red Oak, is Qutrcus r%ibra,\dii:. 

 Texana. Post Oak (Quercus stellata) is also found on surrounding hills. 



Of the Maple Family, the Box-Elder {Negundo aceroides), a small tree 

 near the water, is the only representative. To a closely allied order 

 belongs the Wild China- tree or Soapberry (Sapindus marginatus). The 

 naturalized China- tree {Melia azedarach), on account of its hardiness and 

 rapid growth, is a favorite shade tree. 



Of the Rose Family, the only notable arborescent members area species 

 of Hawthorn {Gratwgus suhvillosa) and a Plum {Primus Americana, var. 

 mollis). Of the Rutaceae, two shrubs are common: the Hop-tree {Ptelea 

 trifoliata) along the river, and the Prickly Ash {Xanthoxyluni Glava- 

 HercuUs) on hill-sides. 



Other shrubs deserving mention are: The Trefoil Barberry {Berber is 

 trifoliata), low, evergreen bush with glaucous, spiny leaves, yellow 

 blossoms, and red, palatable berries; the well known Texas Persimmon 

 {Diospyros Texana)', the thorny Bumelia lanuginosa ; a small Holly (Ilex 

 decidua); a Dogwood {Gornus JDrummondii); the pretty Lippia lycioides 



