54 PACIFIC STATES FLORAL CONGRESS. 



them have come into use either among ourselves or among the 

 Spanish-speaking people. To call it amapola is simply to call it by 

 the Spanish name for the opium poppy. If we choose to use such a 

 misnomer, for it is not a poppy, it is manifestly better to call it 

 poppy in English. The Spanish name, meaning a cup of gold, can 

 never be used, for as surely as Jamestown-weed became Jimson-weed, 

 and the French dent de lion became dandelion, so copra-de-oro would 

 in English-speaking mouths become cupboard-door. Bentham, in 1834, 

 not knowing that it had been previously named, called it chryseis, 

 the golden plant, and Eafinesque later gave it the name omonoia, 

 which signifies harmony. It is a pity we can not use this name, so 

 euphonious and appropriate. It is too late to impose any new name 

 or to resurrect Indian names or such pretty Spanish names as dor- 

 midera and torosa. Only two names have come into general use, Cal- 

 ifornia poppy and Eschscholtzia. The latter is found in all diction- 

 aries and cyclopedias, so famous is our state flower. The former is 

 the absurd name most commonly used. Though our plant is not a 

 PPPy? the name Avill probably persist. We can not at will drop a 

 name. The worse it is, the more sure it is to stick. Since Esch- 

 scholtzia is the authoritative name, the name by which the educated of 

 all nations know it, the name about which cluster so many pleasant 

 facts, we should encourage its use. Let us call our state flower Esch- 

 scholtzia. 



Normal School, San Jose, Gal. 



NATIVE ANNUALS OF THE PACIFIC STATES. 



BY MRS. W. H. WIESTER. 



The subject assigned me for this occasion is one of interest to all 

 lovers of nature. 



I shall not undertake to discuss our native annuals in a scientific 

 manner, but will leave that pleasing task to the professional botanist. 

 He can enter into detail as regards their order and genera. He will 

 describe their roots and stems and leaves and tissue, corolla, calyx, 

 pistil, and stamens. He will discourse about exogens and endogens, 

 and tell you all about gamopetalae, polypetalse, monopetalse, and com- 

 positae. It will be my province to treat the subject from the stand- 

 point of beauty and utility. 



The annuals form a very important and pleasing feature of the 

 states. The attractiveness of our early spring landscapes is 



5dy due to the ephemeral beauty of their dainty blossoms scattered 

 Broadcast with luxurious abandon by Flora's generous hand 



