44 BOTANY. 



Eucalyptus globulus, 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 pinoli. Some- 

 times also used by them in a kind of cake. 



Cucurbita 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." 



Cymopteeis Fendleei, 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 Fe* 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 



