l68 CALOCHORTUS VENUSTUS. MARIPOSA LILY. 



third had disappeared altogedier. It is said that in their nadve 

 places of growth they are always found very deep in the ground. 

 Under culture the new bulb forms from an upper portion of the 

 stem as noted in our drawing, and this small beginning is all 

 that the plant depends on for its growth the next year. It may 

 be that deep planting in light soil might prevent this stem-forma- 

 tion of a little bulb, or so strengthen it as to make it equal in 

 flowering ability to its parent of the former year. 



The roots of this and other species supply the Indians with a 

 favorite article of food. As the roots are small and are found 

 only at some depth, the Indians must possess more industry in 

 some respects than they often get credit for. They call these 

 roots " Sego." 



Calochorhis vanishes is found only in southern California. A 

 form found by Captain Gunnison in the Rocky mountains, on 

 the Pacific Railroad explorations, was supposed by Torrey to be 

 one of the forms of this species; but a better acquaintance with 

 it led Mr. Watson to the knowledge that it was a distinct species, 

 and he called it Calochorttts Gunnisonii. The beautiful plate in 

 Mr, Robinson's Garden, vol. 9, belongs to this species and not to 

 the true CalocJioiius vemishts as there stated. 



