43 
grove of Big Trees. We came in wet through and I have 
occupied the time whilst my clothes are drying, in writ- 
ing out the enclosed notes on this great Redwood forest 
which I propose to send to our Journal of Forestry 
(which is my own child), and I should he very grateful 
if you would look through it and erase all the errors and 
misapprehensions which a casual observer always makes 
and which I try to avoid by the experiences of others 
who know so much better than I do. 
It was worth all the journey to see Clintonia andrew- 
eiana in perfection. I have tried for years to get this 
alive from Carl Purdy, but the roots always came too 
much dried up to grow because not taken up when in 
ripe condition. If any of your students would lift and 
send me a few between November and March I think I 
could grow it. Yfhat a real gem it is! 
My height measurements of Sequoia were made by 
taking a right angle with an instrument which I have 
always found very accurate, and measuring the base line 
with a tape. I am sure if one looked long enough one 
could find redwoods of 350 feet but it is very difficult to 
see their tops from the right angle. — H. J. Elwes. 
It is interesting to have this opinion of Mr. Elwes 
on the necessity of saving the Bull Creek grove of Red- 
woods, since he is a distinguished student of the trees of 
the earth, especially as cultivated in Great Britain. Of 
forest trees he is an arduous cultivator at his English 
farm, Colesborne Park, Cheltenham. — -W. L. J. 
WATER HYACINTH IN CALIFORNIA 
Eichornia crassipes Solm. is a species of tropical 
American water plant which, introduced into Florida, 
has become a truly colossal pest in that state, since 
often obstructing navigation in rivers and rendering 
lakes and streams unsightly. It multiplies vegetatively 
on the surface of the water, being held afloat by the 
air-bladders developed in the bases of the leaves. Al- 
though introduced into California it has not yet become 
a problem with us. 
While it is not known whether it would menace our 
rivers and lakes, every precaution should be taken. At 
a meeting of the Society several years since it was re- 
ported by Mr. Eugene Heath as occurring in a pond east 
of Fresno. It has also been reported from Clarksburg, 
Yolo County, and from Warm Creek reservoir, San 
Bernardino. At the latter station, says Mr. S. B. 
Parish, it is beginning to move down stream. — W. L, 
Jepson. 
PLEURICO SFORA FIMBRIOLATA IN THE 
SANTA CRUZ MTS. 
Excellent specimens of this curious plant have been 
collected in the Big Basin by 0. A. Reed. The entire 
plant is quite white in color when living, including the 
