92 
large plantations of oranges and maguey were inspected, speci- 
mens of the latter being secured. 
A systematic effort was made to secure information which 
would be useful in the exploration of Baja California, which is 
all but entirely unknown from the botanical point of view. This 
peninsula is nearly goo miles long and contains a few settlements 
and mining towns in the southern half, around which a few col- 
lectors have worked at various times. An expedition by T. S. 
Brandegee and by other members of the California Academy of 
Science traversed the western part a few years ago. The north- 
ern portion is reputed extremely dry, uninhabited and to be trav- 
ersed by a mountain ridge a few thousand feet in height. 
This entire region embracing two coast lines and a strip of 
land four hundred miles long offers a most tempting field for 
exploration, and a properly equipped expedition would secure 
material of the greatest scientific interest and value. So far as 
the information at hand may be relied upon, the best, and most 
practical method would embrace the chartering of a fifty-ton 
schooner at Guaymas with a crew of four, and the organization of 
a scientific party of three or four persons of some field experience 
in rough work. This party might then proceed along the eastern 
coast, putting in at convenient anchorages from which excursions 
afoot might be made into the interior. It might be possible to 
include one or two burros in the cargo of the vessel for use as 
pack animals on such trips but the chief difficulty encountered is 
the scarcity or entire lack of water, and of all kinds of forage and 
food. Propositions were secured from two firms for the out- 
fitting of a vessel, adequate to carry out the above plan, and it is 
suggested that this important exploration should be made at 
the earliest moment at which funds become available. 
From Guaymas, I returned northward to Torres, a small 
town on the Sonora railway, 102 kilometers north from Guay- 
mas. At this point I was so fortunate as to secure the active 
interest of Mr. T. Oldendorff, agent for the Sonora railway. 
In addition to giving me much practical information concern- 
ing the plants native in that region, Mr. Oldendorff placed 
me in care of Antonio, his Indian hunter, who acted as guide 
