1 Ane Ж UEP" ok =>” x 
INTRODUCTION, 17 
region may be noticed Styphonia serrata, with its thick evergreen leaves and Obione canescens, 
which is very abundant. А species of Lycium, with yellow flowers and red berries, is also 
conspicuous. This brief enumeration will serve to give a general idea of the characteristic 
vegetation of what we have termed the Littoral Region. 
SUPRA-LITTORAL REGION. 
Leaving the salt water, to the influence of which the characteristics of the preceding region 
are due, we come to the Supra-Littoral district, which presents a more striking variety in its 
vegetable forms. 
This region includes a large proportion of shrubbery, to which, as it imparts peculiar features 
to the scenery, we shall especially direct our attention. 
Before enumerating the plants which make up this woody growth, we would remark, that 
nearly all the shrubs of this region are inclined to form a stunted and bushy growth, which is 
evidently caused by exposure to dry seasons and sea breezes. There is also to be noted a leaden 
color of foliage, which does not depend upon the abundant growth of 4riemisic, most of which 
possess this tint, but is common to а large proportion of the shrubs of this region. Both of 
these peculiarities of the vegetation have their influencé upon the character of the landscape. 
One of the most striking shrubs is Eriogonum fasciculatum, a neat evergreen, with small pink 
flowers, disposed in crowded umbels at the summit of prolonged stalks. Its season of flowering 
is during the midsummer, and it is generally characteristic of arid and barren tracts,  Zsomeris 
arborea (Nutt.) is frequently associated with this plant, and is distinguished by its yellow flowers 
and singular bladder-shaped pods. Here is also found Rhus aromatica, (Nutt.,) which frequently 
acquires quite an arborescent growth and occupies extensive tracts. It is clothed with shining 
evergreen leaves, which resemble those of the holly and-exhale a strong odor like that of laurel. 
We also meet with Photinia arbutifolia, a handsome and often symmetrically formed shrub. 
This has rich evergreen foliage and beautiful bunches of white flowers, which are succeeded by 
scarlet berries, In favorable localities this sometimes attains the height of twenty feet, with a 
trunk six inches in diameter at the base. Another shrub deserving especial notice is Simmondsia 
californica, (Nutt.,) which has persistent leaves of a pale green color, and inclined to assume a 
vertical position. The plant is dioecious ; the mature fruit is about the size of a hazel nut, and 
has a thin smooth three-valved husk, which separates spontaneously when ripe, disclosing a 
brown triangular kernel. This fruit, though edible, can hardly be termed palatable ; its taste 
is somewhat intermediate between that of the filbert and acorn. It is, however, employed by 
the Indians as an article of diet, and is called by them ‘‘jajoba.’’ The range of the Simmondsia 
extends to the base of the mountains, and it is found again, in similar situations, upon the 
eastern side, though less abundantly, as well as in the upper valley of the Gila, where it was 
detected by Major Emory, in 1846. Besides the shrubs above enumerated, the Artemisia 
Californica i is widely diffused over this region ; this is employed by the Mexicans as а popular 
remedy against cholera, under the name of ** Estafiat."' 
On the San Diego promontory there is a dense and intricate growth of shrubbery, to which 
both the people from the town and from the shipping have for a long time resorted for fuel. 
The greater proportion is furnished by Zriodictyon, which is a large shrub of from eight to 
twelve feet in height, with a diameter of from two to four inches. The wood is very close- 
grained, but brittle, ЗЭ is charged with a resinous matter, which causes it (0 burn readily, even 
