JOURNAL 
OF 
The New York Botanical Garden 
VoL. V. May, 1904. No, 53. 
BOTANICAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE SOUTHWEST. 
Dr. N. L. Britron, Director-1n-CuHleEr. 
Sir: The following report of recent operations in Texas, Ari- 
zona, Sonora and Baja California is presented. 
Starting from New York on January 13, 1904, Langtry, 
exas, was reached three days later. At this point an examina- 
tion of the flora of the “sotol’’ region was made, and a number 
of living plants secured for the collections. The sotol (Dasy- 
firion) occurs very abundantly over an immense area, the geo- 
graphical characteristics of which have been recently described 
by Professor Bray, and the area is also characterized by great 
numbers of lechuguilla (Agave aii eel sr ee Ephedra 
and other xerophytic forms of extreme types desert vegeta- 
tion. Among other material ate from tie place was some 
rope from the fibers of the leaves of lechuguilla, which is made 
chiefly by Mexican sheepherders when in need of cordage. This 
fiber has not made its way into commerce but deserves serious 
consideration. 
Tucson, Arizona, was reached January 16, and in addition to 
a stay of a week at this time two days were also spent here late 
in February. During these periods I was in constant consulta- 
tion with Dr. W. A. Cannon, Resident Investigator of the Desert 
Botanical Laboratory concerning the various researches being 
organized by that institution. Although the laboratory has 
een in existence but a few months yet new methods of research 
have been devised and highly oe results in two or three 
problems connected with the development and physiology of 
desert plants have already been attamed. A public lecture to 
89 
