130 JJe/i.r r(sj)ersn in California. 



At first thought, one is led to doubt the probaljility that such 

 a form, in a locality near to any considerable population, could 

 be so long unknown to naturalists ; but when we consider the 

 facts, first, that tlie place where it Avas planted was on private 

 ground of considerable area, several acres ; second, that the 

 climate of the region, with its long rainless summers, is not 

 so conducive to the rapid multiplication of individuals as is 

 the native climate of the species ; tJtirdy that the increase was 

 quite likely the measure of consumption as food by the parties 

 owning the locality ; am}, fourth, that the presence of the spe- 

 cies was kept secret ])y those Avho used if, — the improbability 

 is greatly reduced. 



The detection of individuals of this species in this part of the 

 world recalled the fact of its having been previously reported 

 from this coast, over thirtij jjears ago; yet, during all this time, 

 not tlie first iota of confirmatory testimony has been obtained, 

 and the credi't at that time to our faunal list has ever been re- 

 garded, by our local naturalists and collectors, as without valid 

 foundation. 



I have Ijeen curious to look into the matter, and to seek for 

 the source of this en-or, for error it undoubtedly is. 



In pursuance of this inquiry, I find many other west coast 

 species incidentally involved, and many errors in habitat, which 

 have been so often repeated, as to justify the time required for 

 their correction, if accuracy of statement as to geographical dis- 

 ti'ibution is of any importance. 



Mr. W. G. Binney, in his recent volume* on " The Terres- 



the coast, and distant between two and three hours' ride by rail from San 

 Francisco, southward. 



The " Guadalupe " referred to, is a river formed by several minor streams; 

 it flows northerly through Santa Clara Valley, and empties into the Bay of 

 San Francisco at its southerly end, near Alviso ; the valley is compara- 

 tively thickly settled, the region being one of the most fertile in the State. 

 The " Guadalupe" river, as above, must not be confounded with " Guada- 

 lupe island," mentioned later in this paper. 



The colony planted in the southern part of the State, as reported by Mrs. 

 Bush, has not as yet been discovered ; the climate, etc. , is much less favor- 

 able for its perpetuity than that of the Santa Clara Valley. 



* Vohune V, July, 1878. See, also, Binney (Senior), in Vol. II, ]•>. 117. 



