1878. ] Proceedings of Scientific Societies. 201 
tion rather than to its vitality 
A general discussion on the Eucalypti followed, in which seve- 
ral members stated that some species of that tree had been found 
impervious to the attacks of frost as well as heat. 
he concluding paper of the evening—on the “ Necessity of a 
Physical Survey of California” —was read by Prof. Davidson. He 
believed that such a survey was of the utmost importance to the 
State, and enumerated the advantages that would be equally 
gained by the farmers, manufacturers and capitalists, from a per- 
fect map illustrating accurately the physical, geographical and 
geological features of every part of the State. Such a map, he 
believed, would be of the greatest service for the reclamation of 
swamp lands, to understand the hydraulics of the Sacramento 
Valley, to open new avenues of travel and transportation, and to 
afford valuable information for all the industries. Another im- 
portant reason why the State should undertake such a work was 
the fact that the whole system of maps and land surveys adopted 
by the United States Government is a delusion, and any one who 
has examined this subject will find them to be full of the most 
glaring errors and inaccuracies. At another meeting, Dr. A. 
wood chiéfly to its physiological structure and chemical composi- 
many varieties are grown as of the apple here, and the sweetness 
of the fruit is always retained. a 
He remarked, “ The fruit is, I think, the most beautiful of all 
the fruits I have ever seen, and is the most delicious to the taste. 
I carried four of them to San Francisco last fall, which weighed 
three-quarters of a pound each. The fruit is a rich yellow color, 
and seems more like a ball of wax than a fruit. It is simply splen- 
did. I think it will be the greatest acquisition to our State ever 
introduced. 
“This variety, known as the Diospyros kaki, differs materially 
from the wild persimmon of the Southern States, as it ripens with- 
out frost, and is equally palatable whether fresh or dried. The 
tree is highly ornamental, a prolific bearer, and as hardy as the 
pear. Its season is from October to March, coming in when fine 
fruits are scarce. The fruit is of a bright yellow, orange or red- 
dish color, and is pronounced equal to the pear or peach. It is 
also sufficiently solid to be packed and shipped with safety. It 
grows to a large size, attaining in some cases a pound each in 
weight. — | 
“The Japanese persimmon is perfectly adapted to the soil and 
_ climate of this country, and may be cultivated precisely as the 
