WILD VERBENA. 



From Los Angeles to Long Beach is two-thirds of a day's 

 travel ; at least it was when I visited the place by this time the 

 railroad is finished through to the Beach, I am quite sure. It 

 has a lovely beach and is a place that has much promise. It will 

 attract the better class wishing quiet and good bathing. I am 

 told, in the extreme hot season families take their tents and pitch 

 them in some nice sheltered place on the beach and remain there 

 for many weeks. 



At this place I found under peculiar circumstances the wild 

 verbena. I had started out quite early in the morning, having 

 been directed where I would be likely to find it growing. I had 

 heard much of the plant, and came here purposely to make a 

 study of it. 



I had walked what seemed to me a mile or more along the 

 beach, and not finding the flower I so much desired, had turned 

 back quite discouraged. I had gone but a short distance when 

 a dog came leaping over the embankment and ran to me, much 

 to my alarm; but I soon discovered that he meant only kindness. 

 He would run ahead, then wait until I came up to him ; some- 

 times he would return and leap and jump about me and then run 

 on ahead again. He kept on in this way for quite a half hour, 

 when, nearing- a grove of trees a short distance ahead, he ran 



o o 



toward them. I thought he had decided to leave me, and so 

 walked on, but in a moment he came barking toward me. I 



