Botanical Notes From Abroad, 8r 



In an address at the London Royal Institution, Mr. Wm. An- 

 derson has offered the suggestion that cork, on account of its 

 porosity, may prove to be superior to India-rubber as a material 

 for waterproof overcoats. 



In nine years, oaken piles at Mieres, Spain, have taken on the 

 appearance of stone-coal. 



Dr. R. A. Philippi has published in Germany an important and 

 interesting paper, detailing the changes wrought by man in the 

 flora of Chili, where the native vegetation has been supplanted by 

 that of Europe to an astonishing extent. The trees and plants of 

 Europe, and only these (with the exception of the native potato), 

 are found everywhere near habitations; and the original native 

 flora has to be sought with care and system, and is found only 

 miles away from cultivation and the abodes of men. In fact, the 

 native vegetation is destroyed by that of Europe as effectually as 

 the native inhabitant himself disappears before the white man. 



OUR PARK. 



San Diego has a park, consisting of about fourteen hundred 

 acres, which has recently been discussed in the daily papers, some 

 thinking it would be well to sell a portion by which to acquire 

 means to cultivate and beautify the remainder. 



Recently I heard the remark: "They need only to let Nature 

 alone to have a beautiful park. In a few years, when the mesa 

 is crowded with residences and all the lovely wild flowers have 

 been frightened away, no spot will be so beautiful and so attractive 

 as the one that has been neglected." 



The remark at once recalled the remark of Colonel Barre to a 

 British emissary, who asked, " And will these American children, 

 planted by our care, nourished by our indulgence to a degree of 

 strength and opulence, and protected by our arms, grudge to con- 

 tribute their mite to relieve us from the heavy burden under which 

 we lie?" Springing to his feet. Colonel Barre replied: " They 

 planted by your care ! No, your oppression placed them in Amer- 

 ica- They nourished by your indulgence ! They grew by your 

 neglect of them," and the concluding words of this thriUing 

 speech, in which American patriots were first called "The Sons 

 of Liberty," carried conviction to the hearts of his hearers, that 

 only by England's neglect could the colonies continue to thrive. 



In other matters, " a little judicious letting alone " is advisable. 

 The wild flowers and shrubs of San Diego only ask neglect to 

 flourish and beautify the grounds of the park, on a scale commen- 

 surate with the size of the country. Why go to the labor and ex- 

 pense of defacing the rugged beauty of these canyons, and mesas 

 crowned and wreathed in the rainy season with a wealth ot lovely 

 wild flowers more beautiful than art can ever replace ! Why try 



