458 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. [1885. 



delicate perfume of its capitate, yellow flowers. Pretty also are the 

 shrubby Acacia amentacea and Rcemeriana, growing on gravelly hills. 



The other ligneous Leguminosse deserving mention are : <f The Frijolillo 

 (Sophora secundiflora), a dark green shrub, on rocky grounds, with thick 

 bunches of rank violet flowers early in the spring, and poisonous scarlet 

 beans in summer; SopJiora affinis, a small tree with green bark, loosely- 

 clustered flowers (in March) and beaded pod; the Ketama (ParMnsonia 

 aculeata), an elegant ornamental tree more common on the Lower Eio 

 Grande; Cwsalpinia pulcherrima, a bush with gorgeous orange flowers, 

 common in gardens, introduced from Mexico ; the Honey Locust ( Gledit- 

 schia triacanthos), mostly cultivated. 



Largest and most conspicuous of trees along the river is the lordly 

 Pecan (Carya olivarformis), attaining here an enormous size, and the 

 Cottonwood (Populus monilifera). Less common are Black Walnut 

 (Juglans nigra), Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), Black Willow 

 (Salix nigra), Green Ash (Fraxinus viridis, var., Berlandieriana). 



Of the Urticaceae there are several members : The common Hack- 

 berry (Geltis occidentals), a rather handsome tree 1 to 2 feet in diame- 

 ter, affecting several forms; the Thorny Hackberry or Granjeno of 

 the Mexicans (Celtis pallida of Torrey), a stiff shrub bearing insipid 

 yellow berries; the Ked Mulberry (Morus rubra), growing everywhere 

 and yielding luscious fruit ; the Wild Mulberry (Morus microphylla), 

 along the river; the Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyri/era), common 

 in yards; the Water Elm (Ulmus crassifolia), a middle-sized tree along 

 streams, and the only Elm seen about San Antonio ; the Osage Orange 

 (Madura aurantiaca). 



The Live Oak (Quercus virens), a large tree, forms the main feature of 

 the arboreal vegetation on the higher grounds of the valley. Another 

 Oak, smaller and less common, a form of Bed Oak, is Quercus rubra, var. 

 Texana. Post Oak (Quercus stellata) is also found on surrounding hills. 



Of the Maple Family, the Box-Elder (Negundo aceroides), a small tree 

 near the water, is the only representative. To a closely allied order 

 belongs the Wild China-tree or Soapberry (Sapindus marginatus). The 

 naturalized China- tree (Melia azedarach), on account of its hardiness and 

 rapid growth, is a favorite shade tree. 



Of the Rose Family, the only notable arborescent members area species 

 of Hawthorn (Crataegus subvillosa) and a Plum (Prunus Americana, var. 

 mollis). Of the Rutacese, two shrubs are common: the Hop-tree (Ptelea 

 trifoliata) along the river, and the Prickly Ash (Xanthoxylum Clava- 

 Herculis) on hill-sides. 



Other shrubs deserving mention are : The Trefoil Barberry (Berber is 

 trifoliata), low, evergreen bush with glaucous, spiny leaves, yellow 

 blossoms, and red, palatable berries; the well known Texas Persimmon 

 (Diospyros Texana); the thorny Bumelia lanuginosa; a small Holly (Ilex 

 decidua); a Dogwood (Cornus Drummondii) ; the pretty Lippia lycioides 



