The New Califor7iia Poa. i6§ 



feet freedom, while huge reptiles, equally terrible, took possession 

 and maintained undisputed sway over the Triasic and Jurasic seas. 

 Fragments of the bones of these huge monsters, and also gems 

 like the amethyst and ruby, were supposed to possess miraculous 

 virtues and great healing properties. 



Electricity, as lightning and in other forms, was regarded as 

 being sent out by the gods to manifest their displeasure for some 

 offence. But here again modern science has triumphed, and has 

 made even this powerful element element subservient to its will. 

 And, while we have no proof that the ancients had any supersti- 

 tious fear of steam, it is certain they knew nothing of its great 

 power. But this too, by the aid of modern genius, man has 

 brought under subjection and caused to labor for his benefit. 



Of the art of printing they knew nothing, and it seems strange, 

 too, that they should not; for the Babylonians used a kind ot hand 

 stamp in stamping their tablets, bricks and pottery; and the 

 Romans used a ring with a device for stamping seals upon their 

 parchments. But they went no further. This, too, was left for a 

 more modern mind to discover. But let us remember that though, 

 through the investigations and discoveries of modern science, we 

 possess many advantages and of inestimai :le value. Egypt, 

 Chaldea, Greece and Rome, all contributed in some way to the 

 general advance of science, whether by their errors or by their 

 discoveries, they may each claim a share. As the ages roll on, 

 new discoveries will be made and new facts added to science, which 

 is ever seeking new and important truths to add to its already well 

 filled garner 



But science is still in its youth, and its alphabet is hardly learn- 

 ed. As we turn over the pages ol the book of Nature, the mind 

 is bewildered with the magnitude and splendor of the study. But 

 the study is as attractive as vast, and the close observer ever 

 Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks. 

 Sermons in stones, and good in everything. 



Chas. D. Pendell. 



THE NEW CALIFORNIAN POA. 



By Dr. Geo. Vasey. 



PoA Orcuttiana. — Culms csespitose, about two feet high, radi- 

 cal leaves numerous, narrow, flaccid, about six inches long, scab- 

 rous; culm leaves two to four inches long, attenuate at the apex, 

 and with the sheaths scabrous, upper sheath very long; ligule 

 membranaceous, about two lines long, acute, becoming lacerate; 

 nodes smooth; panicle four to six inches long, lax, the branches 

 erect and somewhat appressed, the lower in threes, one to three 

 inches long, the lower third or more naked, numerously flowered 

 above; spikelets mostly very short-pedicelled, five to nine flow- 

 ered, four to six lines long; empty glumes nearly equal, one and 



