56 Bulletin Santa Barbara Society of Natural History. Vol. I . 



for a long period, together with the "fire-wells" de- 

 scribed, indicates that these hydro-carbons are abund- 

 antly generated in the strata underlying a considera- 

 ble portion of Santa Barbara County, and that this val- 

 uable product may soon be obtained in sufficient quan- 

 tities to be utilized for a host of purposes where a 

 cheap fuel or lighting is required. 



During the summer of 1888, Mr. Richardson, who 

 resides a short distance below the Rincon "fire-wells" 

 was startled by loud reports in their direction and upon 

 visiting the locality observed flames issuing to the 

 height of several feet from the apertures. Parties from 

 Santa Barbara visited the spot upon hearing of this 

 outburst and confirmed Mr. Richardson's observations. 



Apparently there have been periods of great activi- 

 ty, followed by long intervals of comparative rest. The 

 partially fused rocks, with their altered color and dens- 

 ity would indicate a period of greater intensity of heat 

 than at present prevails. 



THE LYONOTHAHUS ASPLENIFOLIUS, 



BY PROF. HENRY CHAPMAN FORD. 



In September, 1884, Mr. William S. Lyon of Los 

 Angeles, in a botanical excursion to the Island of Santa 

 Catalina, discovered a new shrubby plant that was re- 

 ferred to Dr. Asa Gray for nomenclature. 



He created a new genus for the shrub under the 

 name of Lyonothamnus, in honor of its discoverer, and 

 for its profuse flowering gave it the specific distinction 

 floribundus. 



In the summer of 1885, Mr. Barclay Hazard of Santa 

 Barbara, during a visit to the Island of Santa Cruz, 

 noted a new and peculiar shrub, or small tree, and call- 

 ed the attention of the fact to Prof. E. L. Greene of 

 the California University. During July of the follow- 

 ing season (1886) Prof. Green visited the island and 



