AA e BOTANY. 
EvcaLyprus cLosuius, Labill. Australian Blue Gum.—Now planted by 
thousands in Southern California. This tree is of very rapid growth, and 
makes withal a solid, close-grained, enduring timber. Mr. Cooper, of Santa 
Barbara, estimates the gain in growing this to be greater than that derived 
from the cereals. As to its value from a medicinal standpoint, I am free 
to say it has in every instance disappointed me in its anti-periodic effects, 
I do not regard it (though I have used it heroically) as in any sense the 
peer of the preparations derived from cinchona. It is, however, not im- 
probable that the enormous evaporation from the surfaces of the leaves and 
young shoots may be a means of improving the sanitary condition of a 
moist, boggy, ague-cursed area, when the trees are planted in masses, but 
the idea that any mere cordon of trees around a home would protect it 
appears improbable, not to say preposterous. However, I am bound to 
say we are yet without sufficient data on which to base an absolute con- 
clusion. In such regions as the Sanoita Valley, Cienega, or San Pedro in 
Southern Arizona, it would doubtless flourish, and a few years hence be of 
immense value as a timber tree. The Southern Rio Grande Valley offers 
another suitable spot for its introduction. While this species will not 
endure cold weather, it is to be remembered that there are others of the 
genus that are hardier and almost as valuable as timber. These would 
probably be well worth a trial in Arizona and New Mexico. 
MENTZELIA ALBICAULIS, Dougl—The Indians in Southeastern California 
pound up the seeds of this, making thus one of their forms of pifoli. Some- 
times also used by them in a kind of cake. 
CucurBira PERENNIS, Gray. Chili Cojote, and Calabazilla in Southern 
California—Brewer & Watson assert, in Fl. Cal. p. 239, “that the pulp of the 
green fruit is used with soap to remove stains from clothing, and that the 
macerated root is used as a remedy for piles, and the seeds are eaten by the 
Indians.” | 
CymopTEeris FEenpieri, Gray. Chimaja of New Mexico.—This plant 
emits, when in decoction, a peculiarly strong and pleasant odor, not unlike C. 
anisatus, which it closely resembles. The residents in and about Santa Fé are 
in the habit of using this as the chief ingredient, after whisky, to form a warm- 
ing, stomachic “bitters”, which is immensely popular, as anything is likely 
