Correspondence. lo^ 



CORRESPONDENCE. 



A CORRECTION. 



I notice some errors in the report of the Santa Barbara Society 

 of Natural History. The membership is 45 instead of 21, as at 

 the commencement. The number of volumes in the library, 

 including pamphlets, is about 2,700. 



Our society is figuring to publish their first Bulletin soon, and 

 I will send you a copy when it is completed. 



Mrs. R. F. Binghcm, Corr. Sec. 



Santa Barbara, March 5, 1887. 



A SPECIMEN letter. 



I enclose $\ 00 as subscription for The West American 

 Scientist for the year 1887. ^ hoped to have been a denizen of 

 your sunny clime ere this, but as any immediate prospect of such 

 a longed for change is uncertain. I find it a consolation merely to 

 learn at second hand of your wonderful country and its marvel- 

 ous opportunities, scientific and otherwise. Yours truly, 

 Hanover, Mass., March 7, 1887. W. L. Foster. 



first SAN DIEGO CHAPTER OF THE A. A. 



Mr. Hyatt, our teacher, desires me, as Secretary of our Agas- 

 siz Association, to notify you that a chapter was organized in the 

 Higher Department of our school, March 12, 1887. We hope to 

 enjoy the benefit of your counsel and assistance from time to time 

 when we get puzzled. Very respectfully yours, 

 San Jacinto, Cal. Allie Harrington, Temporary Sec. 



THE PERICUE INDIAN DRESSES. 



Not remembering when my subscription ends, I send $1.00 to 

 renew the subscription to the West American Scientist. 



I am much interested in finding out the plants utilized by 

 Indians, and call upon you for information regarding the plant 

 products mentioned in the following: 



" Female dresses of the Pericue Indians of the peninsula of 

 California are composed of leaves, of reeds or bulrushes, palms, 

 canes, and threaded together by connecting strips with a binding 

 on top edge. One of these will cover from the shoulders to the 

 waist. Another of these dresses is composed of two pieces, 

 each of about two feet square which is tied around the waist; 

 the back part falls down like pieces of ribbon to the middle of 

 the calves and covers the posteriors also The front part hangs 

 from the middle to the knees. A certain kind of palm which 

 grows plentifully in many parts of the peninsula of California 

 makes a thread of great whiteness and strength, and which is 

 used largely by the Indians and their women for various pur- 

 poses." Lalijoryiia Farmer, No. 64, December 6, j86i. 



Have you seen any of these dresses among the California 

 Indians? If you come across any of the plants above mentioned 



