M 



rONTRIBUTIONS KROM I 111 NATIONAL HERBARIUM. 



another of the tree cacti here found. This species produces small 

 yellow Bowers and a fruit clothed with thin papery scales. The fruit 

 Lb m common article in the markets, sold under the names of chiotilla, 

 "geotilla," tuna, etc. Here, and farther south, near Tomellfn Canon, 

 is perhaps the real giant of the cactus family. A single tree often 

 produces hundreds <»t* nearly erect branches, and the quantity of mate 

 rial wrapped up must amount to many tons. Unfortunately I failed t<> 

 find it either in flower or in fruit, but its habit, spines, etc., would 

 indicate that it i- a near relat i\ r e <>(' ( { r< usjpt cti n-aboriginum ( PI. X X 1 >. 

 which I have found as far inland a- ( luernavaca. This plant, doubtless, 

 like many other cadi, ha- t w i > or more names already. Ilardh less 

 interesting was the little Pdecyphora pusilla, which had recently been 

 discovered also by Doctor Purpus near Tehuac&n. For nearly a week 

 splored hill after hill and not until we were completely discour- 

 aged did we find this little plant on the top of a hill almost hidden in 

 the gray pebbles and sand. 



A third cactus region explored was in the desert of Quere"taro. Fit- 

 ting out at San Juan del Rio we traveled northeast to Cadereyta and 

 then ea>t toward Ximapan as far as Higuerillas, thence north nearly 

 to Toloman. returning by the way of Cadereyta to San Juan del Rio. 

 On this trip 36 species were examined, of which 9 were Opuntias and 

 15 were Mamillarias. The so-called Mamillaria cla/va was especially 

 abundant, often forming clumps of 50 <>r more plants each 2 feet high. 

 Ka< h plant would have 1<> to L2 large yellow flowers open at one time. 

 the whole clump thus making a most gorgeous display. Many line 

 specimens of Eehinocactus ornatus were seen, hut unfortunately only 

 a single living specimen reached Washington. In the same desert 

 were found Echinocactvs grusonii, E. turbiniformis , and /:'. ingens. 



Perhaps the most interesting rediscovery made was that of the 

 Fbuquieriaspinosa of Humboldt, Bonpland, and Kunth. or, op it is now 

 called. F. fqscicvlata. Nearly ten years ago, while making some pre- 

 liminary studies on the gen us Fouquieria, I looked up Humboldt's 

 original station and found it to he in the State of Hidalgo. Since then 

 every proposed itinerary of mine in Mexico has included a trip to this 

 type locality, but as the station is far from railroad connection- the 

 trip has repeatedly been given up. I had looked in vain for the plant 

 in the dry parts of Hidalgo. Enquiry was made of botanical collectors 

 in Mexico, hut without success. The -pedes has therefore remained 

 a prominent desideratum. 



It will he recalled that as Long ago as I s 11 Mr. Bentham referred a 

 plant from southern Lower California to F. spirwsa and various speci- 

 mens since collected in Lower California and western Mexico have 

 accordingrlv thus been labeled. To those at all familiar with the Moral 



" Later determined sua C. weberi. 



