SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 155 



of the present day were introduced or became prominent, the 

 huge saurians and other reptiles of previous periods having dis- 

 appeared, the Age of Mammals was inaugurated. 



"At that time the Pacific shore-line was along the foot- 

 hills of the Sierra range, and therefore the whole region occu- 

 pied by the Coast ranges, and the Sacramento and San Joaquin 

 valleys were then a sea-bottom." 



The general character of the life system of animals was 

 similar to the present ; the most important diiferences arising 

 from the subsequent extinction of the large mammals. 



(To be Continued). 



Concerning Certain Trees. 



BY S. B. PARISH. 



Abies magnifica — In a recent interesting popular account 

 of the trees of Southern California,* mention is made of 

 the reputed presence of Abies magmfica in the highest parts of 

 San Jacinto Mountain. The occurrence of this tree was hardly 

 to be expected so far south, although not impossible ; but it seemed 

 highly improbable that, if present, it should have escaped the 

 observation of so capable a botanist as Mr. H. M. Hall, who had 

 so thoroughly explored San Jacinto. It appeared worth while, 

 therefore, to investigate the report, that it might be either veri- 

 fied or corrected. It was found to have originated with a non- 

 botanical collector, who reported the finding of a small grove on 

 the northwest side of Tahquitz Valley. Through the kindness 

 of Mr. Abbot Kinney I have received specimens, including ripe 

 cones, from one of these identical trees. They unmistakably 

 belong to A. concolor, the common species of our mountains. 

 A. magnifica, therefore, cannot be included in our silva. 



PiNus TUBERCULATA — A dwarf pine, presumably of this 

 species, is said to grow on the slopes of San Jacinto above Ban- 

 ning. It grows on the mountain side above the San Bernardino 

 Valley, and there is no reason for regarding its presence on San 

 Jacinto with suspicion. As yet, however, the report lacks the 

 support of specimens, or the indorsement of a botanical observer. 



QUERCUS WiSLizENi — It is desirable that the precise limits 

 of this oak in Southern California should be ascertained. It is 

 abundant along the slopes of Sierra Liebre, above Antelope Val- 



