southwards, Lobb penetrated the great Araucaria forests, where 

 he collected a large quantity of seeds of Araucaria imbricata, 

 and was thus instrumental in bringing this remarkable 

 Conifer into general use for ornamental planting. 



He returned to England in 1844, renewed his engagement, 

 and sailed again for Brazil in April of the following year. 



After sending home from Rio Janeiro a consignment of 

 plants collected in Southern Brazil, he proceeded to Valparaiso 

 for the purpose of exploring Southern Chili, at that time but 

 little known to Europeans, except along the coast. Here a 

 rich harvest awaited him. 



Amongst his earliest successful introductions from this 

 region were Lapageria rosea, Escallonia macrantha, Em- 

 bothrium coccineum, Philesia buxifolia, and Desfontainea 

 spinosa. 



Following up these brilliant achievements, he continued 

 explorations in Valdivia, Chiloe, and Northern Patagonia, 

 where he collected seeds and plants of Libocedrus tetragona, 

 Fitzroya patagonica, Saxe-Gothaea conspicua, and Podocarpus 

 nubigena, " four most interesting Conifers for this country, 

 after Araucaria imbricata, that South America produces." 

 Nor must mention be omitted of Berberis Darwinii, first 

 introduced to British gardens during this interesting 

 expedition. Lobb returned to England in 1848. 



The wonderful Conifers discovered by Douglas in California 

 and Oregon, w-ei-e then still very scarce in England, and young 

 plants of most of the species could scarcely be bought : it was 

 it'^rtafo'rfc decided- that Lobb should proceed to California with 

 a view of obtaining seeds of all the most important kinds 

 known, and, if possible, discover others. 



He landed at San Francisco in the summer of 1849, and at 

 once made arrangements for exploring Southern California. 



38 



