7 
California. Dr. C. H. Townsend, of the American Museum of 
Natural History, is in command of the expedition, and he is ac- 
psadlnaniea by seven investigators and collectors, representing his 
own institution, the New York Botanical Garden, the New York 
Zoological Society, and the United States National Museum. 
Dr. J. N. Rose, representing the Garden, will devote his attention 
to the cacti of the peninsula, and he is expected to make large and 
important additions to the collections of these interesting desert 
plants now under cultivation in the conservatories here. 
In conservatory range 1, house No. 4, is a large ines of Medi- 
nilla magnifica, belonging to the Melastomaceae or meadow- 
eauty family. his, a native of the Philippines, its 
flowers in large hanging ae of pink; these occur in great 
profusion and make of the plant a charming object when in full 
bloom. Its first flowers are about to open, and the tree usually 
remains in bloom four or five weeks. Most of the members of 
this family have 3-nerved leaves; this Hu and a few others 
ave the leaves pinnate-veine ttle plant of this region, 
known as Rhexia virginica, or eerie belongs to this 
family. 
In the same house, in the central area, is a large plant of the 
Mexican bread-fruit, Monstera deliciosa. This forms a part of 
the aroid group, in the westerly part of the house. The fruit is 
cylindric, six to eight inches long. A number of these may be 
seen at the top of this plant. When ripe the fruit is edible, and 
resembles the pineapple in odor and flavor. It is also known as 
cerinam. 
Meteorology for February—The total precipitation for the 
month was 3.66 inches. Maximum temperatures were recorded 
of 47’ on the 4th, 51° on the 12th, 45° on the 16th, and 57° on 
the 25th. Also minimum temperatures were recorded of 12° 
on the 3d, 15° on the 6th, 9° on the 16th and 11.5° on the 22d. 
