400 
SCENES IN THE PACIFIC. 
trunk. The Live Oak, Q. virens, grows only on the high¬ 
lands. It is from two to five feet in thickness, and from sixty 
to seventy in height. The Maple, the Ash, the Beech, the 
Chestnut, in several varieties, compose large portions of the 
forests. 
It is impossible to give a full description of the flower¬ 
ing shrubs and plants of Upper California, so great is 
their variety and beauty. We have only space to notice a 
few of the most conspicuous. A species of Raspberry, Riles 
sppciosum , is one of the most elegant flowering shrubs of the 
country. It is exceedingly abundant in some localities, and, 
with its long crimson stamens and its deep green leaves, 
presents an appearance truly lovely. The flowers bloom 
early in spring. The fruit I have not seen. In many places 
are found several species of Mimuius, one of which is from 
three to four feet in height, and is a very showy plant. This 
country also has numerous species of Phlox and Heuchera , 
and innumerable quantities of Epilobium , Enothera or Prim¬ 
rose, Pentstemon , Papaver or Poppy, Delphinium, and Salvia. 
A species of lily also grows here, the roots of which are 
eaten by the natives. The Scilia escuhnta grows along the 
whole coast of Upper California. This is called by the na¬ 
tives “ Quamash ,” and the root forms a very common article 
of food. To prepare this for eating, a hole is made in the 
ground, and a number of stones placed in it, on which a fire 
is kindled, and kept burning until they are made hot, when 
the fire is extinguished, and the roots wrapped in straw, 
leaves and moss, are placed upon them. They are veil 
roasted in a few hours ; and are then taken off and hung up 
to dry. This root is also sometimes pounded and made into 
cakes, which are preserved for future use. The taste it sweet, 
and rather agreeable; but if eaten too freely, they are apt to 
produce diarrhoea. This plant is most abundant on the banks 
of rivers and on lowlands by the margins of forests; in which 
localities are also found several species of Pyrcla, Caprifolium. 
