760 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY . OF SCIENCES. 



four feet from the ground. This palm is very graceful, 

 it rises high above the other vegetation, and is very prom- 

 inent, especially as it grows in small groves on the hill- 

 sides where there is mosture. 



The richness in flowering plants in the Cape Region is 

 remarkable. The whole country is frequently ablaze 

 with the yellow flowers of the " palo de arco " (Tecoma 

 stans), or with the lovely large morning-glory ( Ipomea 

 aurea). The blue inorning-glories are also exceedingly 

 numerous in places, every bush and tree being woven 

 together with a dense net-work of these green vines, 

 covered by innumerable blue and violet flowers, in many 

 sizes, from those larger than a dollar to those smaller than 

 a pea. 



TIME FOR COLLECTING. 



The best time for collecting and studying animal life 

 in the Cape Region varies greatly with the seasons. But. 

 as a general rule it may be stated that very soon after the 

 first heavy shower of rain is the proper time to begin, as 

 at that time all animal life starts anew. After the first 

 rains nine-tenths of all chrysalises and larvee hatch at once, 

 and the whole country is then teeming with animal life. 

 The bushes and trees cover themselves with leaves and 

 flowers, giving ample food for caterpillars and insects of 

 all kinds. 'As this begins in the sierra, the sierra is the 

 proper place in which to begin explorations and collec- 

 tions. A week after the first rain the fauna is at its 

 height. Myriads of butterflies are then seen filling the 

 air in daytime, while during the evening hours micro- 

 lepidoptera or moths and beetles of all kinds swarm 

 around the lights. Countless lizards then dart among 

 the rocks or on the hillsides or in the branches of the 

 trees. Most lizards there are vegetable feeders, and with 

 the advent of the rains they leave their underground nests 



