296 INTRODUCTORY NOTES. 



the correspondence ■will be seen to be remarkably close. In the general facts indicated 

 by the descriptions of the shores along which the Spaniards sailed, there is to be noticed 

 a remarkable coincidence between the state of things then and now; and it thus appears 

 that the three centuries and more that have elapsed have witnessed comparatively slight 

 changes in the natural aspect of the country. This fact is of no little interest, since 

 the evidence thus afforded is directly opposed to the popular belief, especially as regards 

 the former presence of heavy coniferous forests along the shores and on the islands of 

 the southern portions of California. As indirect proof of this the possession by the 

 Indians of an abundance of large canoes has been frequently cited. But it by no means 

 necessarily follows that the trees which furnished the material for these grew on the 

 spot. In fact, the narrative of Cabrillo contains evidence implying the contrary, for in 

 several places attention is called not only to the canoes, but to the presence on the 

 shores of the islands and near San Diego of "thick and large trees" which "the sea 

 brought ashore" ; this drift-wood, in fact, being to the explorers one of the chief indica- 

 tions of the "great river" flowing from the interior, for which they so eagerly sought. 

 These trees are described as like "cypresses" (probably redwoods), and as being "more 

 than CO feet in length, and of such thickness that two men could not clasp one of them". 

 The dimensions here indicated would, of course, more than answer the requirements of 

 the largest canoe, and doubtless we have in these logs the source of the islanders' boat 

 material. The stranded trees mentioned probably came from the Columbia or some 

 other of the large streams to the northward, which now, as then, at certain seasons, 

 carry down immense quantities of drift. The islands are described as clothed simply 

 with cedars, as at present (that is, Juniperus), although it is likely that then, as 

 now, the canons furnished cottonwoods of large size. Nor does there appear to 

 be anything in the accounts of the other early Spanish explorers subsequent to 

 Cabrillo implying that any very marked change in the amount of timber along the 

 coast has taken place. Upon Vizcaino's chart, it is true, "trees" are indicated 

 about San Diego, which locality is certainly not now a well-wooded one. Prom this 

 fact authors have argued an extensive deforestation here. But Ferrel not only notes 

 the presence of trees in this locality but is particular to inform us that they resembled 

 " silk-cottonwood trees" (probably cottonwoods), which certainly never grow as exten- 

 sive forests. In fact, upon the Pacific slope the forests are usually composed almost 

 exclusively of the conifers, and had these been found, either about San Diego or upon 

 the islands, it appears almost certain that Ferrel would so have stated, especially as 

 he appears to have been careful to mention the presence of timber wherever seen, 

 usually, indeed, endeavoring to particularize the kind. 



Nearly all the names bestowed by Cabrillo upon his discoveries are given upon 

 present maps ; but it is evident that none of them have been adopted with reference 

 to their original application, as they appear haphazard anywhere along the coast. 

 Vizcaino, in 1603, certainly renamed many of the points discovered by Cabrillo, and 

 most of the remaining appellations are probably traceable to the Spanish settlers and 

 priests, by whom they were doubtless given without the intention of perpetuating the 

 names of Cabrillo, or perhaps the slightest knowledge of their prior use by him. Iu 

 christening their discoveries the early Spanish explorers, as also the priests and set- 

 tlers, kept in mind the same objects, viz, to honor the saints and the titled patrons of 



