March 3 i , k^i i 27 



species of Ceaiiothus, tlie one producin*^^ iiuincrous buncUcs of 

 bine flowers from the axils of its small everti^rccn leaves, the 

 other C. thyrsiflorus, often atlainin;^- the size of a small tree, 

 sendinj^ forth its nnmcrons heads of aznrc flowers from last 

 year's wood. In the sandy plains towards the river Salinas, the 

 large golden-flowered Viola chrysantha, Nemophila insi^^nis, 

 Eschscholt/.ia crocca, and I^schschollzia californica were com- 

 mon. 



"My sojourn in California being restricted according to my 

 instructions to one year, whilst a similar period is to be devoted 

 to visiting the northern provinces of Mexico, or in case I find 

 this country a favorable field for my exertions, permission hav- 

 ing been granted until I receive orders to the contrary, that I 

 may stay the whole term of two years in California, I resolved 

 in the absence of new instructions from the Council of the So- 

 ciety, not to proceed to northern Mexico, where during the war 

 with the United States, my peaceful occupation might be dis- 

 turbed, and my personal safety endangered, but to remain ano- 

 ther season in California, more especially as, from my late arri- 

 val in this country, and subsequent circumstances, I could not 

 extend my excursions as I intended to have done. The next 

 step to be considered is, whither can I proceed to follow my oc- 

 cupation with satisfaction to my employers and myself? This 

 country has been taken possession of last year by an American 

 force, much against the good will of the Californians. Now, 

 although the country is, apparently quiet, it is difficult to fortell 

 how long it niay last, and if these disturbances should break out 

 again during my busy season, it might .seriously affect my plans. 

 I therefore came to the conclusion of visiting the Sacramento 

 Valley, where the settlers are all foreigners, and where I need 

 not be under anv apprehensions of disturbances in the lower 

 country. 



"Accordingly I embarked on the Sth of March on board the 

 American bark Tasso, and arrived at Verba Buena after a pas- 

 sage of five day.s. A few day.s' detention enabled me to exam- 

 ine the neighborhood, and added to mv collections, among other 



