656 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE VALLEY OF QUITO. 
a showy or useful flower ; or that it was accidentally conveyed to the 
valley, which is possible. He who doubts it must believe in a spec- 
ial creation or the glacial theory. (2) The evening primrose (@no- 
thera biennis) ; but as this is found only in the cultivated parts of 
the valley, it was doubtless introduced through Europe or down the 
western coast, as it occurs also in California. (8) The 
nosperm (Ephedra Americana) is found by the shores of Great 
Salt Lake, yet appears to be a native of Quito, though Dr. Torrey 
doubts their identity. (4) The Erigeron gnaphalioides of Gray 
grows in Texas and about Quito. I know no other species appar 
ently indigenous to Quito and the United States.* 
If we take a more general survey, we shall find that the largest 
order in Quito, as in‘the United States, is the Composite. But 
here the correspondence ends. 
The following list of orders shows their relative importance in 
the two countries :— 
United States. Quito Valley. 
1. Composite. 1. Composite. 
2. Leguminosz. 2. Scrophulariacee. 
3. Rosaceæ. 8. Labiate. 
4. Scrophulariacez. 4. Leguminose. 
5. Ranunculacee. 5. Cruciferz. 
6. Labiate. f 6. Rosaceæ. 
7. Cruciferz. 7. Ranunculacee. 
The Composite have one hundred and fifteen genera in the 
United States, and fifty-six at Quito, nineteen of which are com- 
mon to both, but no species alike. The Leguminosae have fifty- 
four genera in the United States and just half that number iD 
Quito, sixteen being common. The Scrophulariace have thirty- 
five genera in the United States and fourteen in Quito, half of 
which are common ; Cruciferæ, thirty genera in the United States 
Solanaceæ, thirteen gen- 
four of which are 
country is remarkable for its Solidagoes, outnumbering 
5 , : one. 
any other region; in the whole valley of Quito there 18 a 
nogami bly of Mexico); 
> ies 0) 
*It is fair to state that according to Hooker, sixty Arctic American spec 
c plants are found o e tropica 3 aan 
: 2 g, thistles an! me 
fair to ask why none of our hardy, diffusible plants— our peor : ec anil Tris- 
o in Tasmania 
