go SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



cence mainly yellow, but black between the wings and on 

 the pleura. 



Psithyrus calif ornicus, (Cresson.) 

 Taken by Dr. Davidson at Los Angeles and Switzers. This is 

 known only in the male, and in all probability it will prove 

 to be a male Bombus, like the structurally similar "P." 

 elatus. 



Flora of San Clemente Island. II. 



BY BLANCHE TRASK. 



There is but one man who knows San Clemente Island. 

 This is John Robearts, and he has lived on the island over 

 twenty years. I have named the most remarkable and pictur- 

 esque of all the gorges on the north coast "Robearts' Gorge," 

 in commemoration of his heroic explorations for the love of na- 

 ture in its sternest forms. This gorge can be plainly viewed 

 from a ship at sea, its pinnacles uplifted for a thousand feet. 

 It lies a half hour's row westward from Mosquito Harbor and 

 can easily be recognized. 



Generally, there is that wind from the west ; at times it 

 brings a wild storm of sand, when the very air is thick and you 

 have to watch your guy ropes from early morn to night, and 

 'tis well if even then the breath abates— yet gentle days inter- 

 vene when the placidity is dream-like. 



An interesting phenomenon may be constantly observed 

 from the heights. Great banks of cloud seem continually to be 

 drawn to the highest elevation on the north crest, and when 

 about one mile off shore evidently there is encountered an op- 

 posing force, for turmoil ensues and dissolution follows, with 

 the result that although the larger part of the cloud-rack con- 

 tinues its old course and reaches the height, yet another por- 

 tion is lost. It hesitates, is carried far out to sea and eventually 

 rounds the extreme west end and drifts along the dunes of the 

 "Sou '-west Harbor." 



" — Puts forth an arm and loiters,, 

 slowly drawn ' ' 



Once observed-twice-thrice ! You begin to think it is more 

 than an accidental occurrence. It gratified me afterward to 

 find it was made note of by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- 

 vey. Johnny says it has been going on ever since he can re- 

 member. * 



In the deep gorges under these beclouded headlands and 

 on the bold steeps is the growth remarkable as would be ex- 

 pected. 



Small stunted groves of Lyonothamnus floribundus var. 



