406 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, the torpedo and another species of raia, achimara, and swarms of small 
fish resembling the Sardinia. Muscles are found in considerable quan- 
Dec. titles upon the shores, and form a large portion of the food of the 
ii^dians bordering upon the coasts and rivers. At Monterey two species 
of haliotis of large size are also extremely abundant, and equally sought 
after by the .Indians. They are found on the granite rocks forming 
the south-east part of the bay, which appears to be their northern limit. 
The natives make use of these shells for ornaments, and decorate their 
baskets with pieces of them. Besides these shell-fish, there were noticed 
a few patella, limpet, turbo, cardium, and mya shells, and among other 
lepas, a rai’e species of /. anatifera and a chiton ( tunicatus f ) 
The forests of this part of California furnish principally large trees 
of the pinus genus, of which the p. rigida and the red cedar are most 
abundant, and are of sufficient growth for the masts of vessels. Two 
kinds of oak arrive at large growth, but near the coast they do not appear 
to be very numerous. There is here a low^ tree with a smooth reddish- 
brown bark, bearing red berries, which, from the hardness of its wood, 
would serve the purpose of lignum vitae: there are also some birch and 
plane trees ; but there are very few trees bearing fruit which are in- 
digenous ; the cherry tree and gooseberry bush, however, appear to 
be so. 
The shrubs covering the sand hills and moors are principally 
syngenesious, or of the order rhamnus, while those which prefer the 
more fertile and humid soils are a gaudy-flowered currant bush, 
and a species of honeysuckle ; but the most remarkable shrub in this 
country is the yedra, a poisonous plant affecting only particular con- 
stitutions of the human body, by producing tumours and violent in- 
flammation upon any part with which it comes in contact ; and indeed 
even the exhalation from it borne upon the wind is said to have an effect 
upon some people. It is a slender shrub, preferring cool and shady 
places to others, and bears a trefoil crenated leaf. Among other useful 
roots in this country there are two which are used by the natives for 
soap, aniole and 
From San Francisco we proceeded to Monterey to take in the stores 
that had been purchased at that place, and to procure some spars which 
