Dr. C. C. Parry is doing a good deal too, in the way of exploration of the Pacific coast. In the Spring of 1882, he made a journey into the peninsula of Lower California. Starting from San Diego, last winter, as he writes to a San Francisco paper, he repeated this journey, taking however a somewhat different course, and extending his journey further. The party of six persons, including two ladies, proceeded to Encenada, six miles South of the Mexican line. After four days journey they reached Sanyal, on All Saints' Bay, and from here made excursions in various directions.

Dr. Parry says that the new horse-chestnut AEsculus Parryi, found last year, was abundant and beautiful. A Manzineta with willow-shaped leaves, though referred to the Mexican Arctostaphylos polifolia, is perhaps distinct, and is very ornamental. The new wild rose, Rosa minutifolia, was abundant, and has aroused so much interest abroad that it is now to be introduced into cultivation. It has minute foliage covering the branches closely, is of low-spreading growth, and shows pink or white flowers on a glandular mossy cup. A good deal is expected of it when brought under scientific treatment.

A peculiar cactus that Dr. Parry speaks of as found on this journey, is that species of Cereus that Dr. Engelmann proposes to call C. guminosus, because of its furnishing a water-proof varnish, used by the natives. It grows in a discordant and miscellaneous manner, sprawling over the ground, its large joints being unable to uphold themselves. The fruit is said to resemble the strawberry, and to be delicious; so of course, there are Indian festas, at a great rate when it is in its prime. The century plant seen here is Agave Shawii, a handsome species with orange-hued flowers on a thick stalk, densely clustered. This, as other species, furnishes the mezcal, and also fiber. Rumex hy-menosepalus, a native dock, that the natives call Canai argie, or sour stems, has, it is said, been found to contain eighty per cent. of tannic acid, in its dried tubers. It is abundant in the sand of the dry river beds, and may prove of considerable commercial value. Dr. Parry evidently thinks that the resources of this peninsula have been unduly neglected, and looks forward to better days for "Baja California."