Culteratae Plantse Exsiccatae. 273 



year ago gophers were very numerous all through our nursery, and 

 an unused dwelling was literalh'- alive with mice. When all at once, 

 as if by magic, the mice left the building as we thought. We^could 

 see that the gophers were getting scarce, and in irrigating the water 

 would run clear through the lot, where before the gopher holes were 

 a great annoyance. About the same time weasels were seen occa- 

 sionally skipping along through the nursery rows or down over the 

 hillsides near the nursery, and frequently little squads of from two 

 to four would be seen together. They could be seen to dive into an 

 open squirrel hole and there remain some time. 



Only one conclusion could be arrived at in noticing the actions 

 of the weasels and the disappearance of the squirrels, and that is 

 that the weasels have killed the squirrels. Such being the case we 

 have not molested them, and they seem content in the killing busi- 

 ness. 



Without a doubt we have proved that the weasels are killing off 

 the gophers and squirrels around our place, but unless the weasel 

 will migrate of his own accord and look for new fields to conquer 

 he may get to be as big a nuisance as the vermin he has just van- 

 quished. At some future time I may be able to give more informa- 

 tion. L. C. Cummins. 



PLANTS CULTERATAE EXSICCATAZ. 



We take pleasure in announcing the commencement of the publi- 

 cation of a series of the useful and ornamental plants of the world, 

 especially of those known in, or recommended as worthy of culti- 

 vation. 



It is our aim to grow each species in San Diego, and to prepare 

 herbarium specimens that shall completely represent the species 

 included in the publication. The specimens will be prepared with 

 great pains, under the direction of C. R. Orcutt, who has enjoyed 

 personal instruction in this line of work from such botanists as the 

 late Drs. Asa Gray, George Engelmann and C. C. Parry, and of that 

 prince of collectors, Mr. C. G. Pringle, and whose specimens during 

 ten years of active field work have given satisfaction to the con- 

 servators of many public and private herbaria. 



Labels will give botanical and vernacular names, country of 

 nativity (when known), general description (drawn from the fresh 

 plant), colors described by actual comparison with Ridgway's 

 Nomenclature of Colors, historical, economic and cultural notes — in 

 fact, all the information necessary to render the representation of 

 the species complete. 



