The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-09-11
THE COMEATIBUS.
A Rare Plant Which Blooms in
the Vicinity of Stockton.
The Truthful Reason Why an Eastern Pro-
lessor Left Eers Without Per.
feet Specimen.

Stockton has recently been the recipient
OF visit from man we'll known in scien-
tifc circles i'll the East-an eminent botanist
whom we will call Professor Smith, not be-
cause that is his name, but because he would
probably send some one to kill the Mail re-
porter ii we should publish his real name in
connection with the following story. Atany
rate. the botanist whom we will call by the
beautiful and rare name of Smith was really
here, and the occurrence which we shall de-
scribe was an actual and recent one.
In prosecuting his researches in this
vicinity the professor had discovered a rare
and beautiful plant, which the reporter will
call the + pluribus comeatibus hollyhock
because he does not know its other name.
1t was i'll the search for this uncommon and
lovely plant that the little incident occurred
which terminated Professor Smiths visit in
the Gas City, no longer than last week.
lie had already found one of the plants,
but as it was an imperfect specimen. had
expended considerable time in the effort to
find another. In this search he was accom-
panied by wade meeum in the shape of
one OF those 1S-year-Od boys who keep
right on growing till they are six feet six
inches tall and as much as four inches thick.
1t was one of last weeks charming morn
ings. The professor and his faithful but
attenuated assistant had renewed their quest
for the lovely cOmeatibus. They had with
them buggy and a horse, which the cham
bermald at the livery stable had said wac
afraid OF nothing but an electric railway so
they felt very safe The little birds were
singing In the trees or laying for" the
earnest and agile grasshopper. The breath
OF the flowers, intermiXed with an occasional
Whit from rural barnyard, was on the
breeze.
ALL WAS LOVELY.
Long and faithfully the Professor and his
wel-meaning but long assistant labored. At
last-O joyous sght!-a beautiful specimen
of the fragile cOmeatibus is discovered; but
between the exploring party and the lovely
creature OF nature meanders slough, or
natural sewer as some have termed it.
How to reach it is the question. The
Slough is not over twelve feet wide. and
looking at the assistants remarkable length
OF legs one would suppose that he could
easily step across, but the professor pro-
poses that no rude, irreverent hand shall
grther the priceless treasure. After some
consideration it is decided that he shall
jump the slough, the mental going. first to
here. as the plot thekens. that the pro-
fessor weighs something more than 200
pounds and has not jumped for many year.
The horse is left to care for itself while
the feat is essayed. First goes the loag as
sistant Alb, that is glorious jump! The
hind the ambitious leaper ere he finally
touches earth again. 1t is very easy.
And now it is the professors turn. He
steps back several feet from the slough. He
measures the distance carefully with his
eyes "He starts, he moves, he seems to
feel thrill of life run through his keel"
Like hawk upon its prey, like wolf upon
the fold, the professor came down upon the
slough. Determination is in his eye, victory
in his air. Alas for the learned gentleman.
tt,cf ha nt ~. t.rrl, 10
snag. 1t IS n quiet, unassuming, unambi-
tious snas, but SO much depends upon 1t
now. Under full pressure Of steam the
PROFESSOR COMES DOWN.
He strikes the snag, there is an awful sound
as Of the heavens falling and the botanist
and the slough are one. No one could tell
which is bOtanist and which slough. He
from one side TO the other Mud was in his
nostrils, in his eyes, up his sleeves, down
his bosom.
And. to crown all. where he ran his head
into the farther shore was the rare and
lovely comeatibus. 1t was softer than the
professors head ana it forever disappeared
in mud when the scientific gentleman struck
it.
Up to the time when the professor arose.
wiped the mud out of his mouth and said
his morning prayer, the horse had looked
upon the operation in mild surprise. but the
gentleman's remarks were too much even
Tor his equanimity and he went home. He
stood not upon the order OF his going. but
went The buggy was left at the first con-
venient tree, and the harness in various
rla :es and pieces farther on.
The lover of botany and his long assist
ant walked home They were not fond of
walking, but they walked anyway. Arrived
on the outskirts of town the professor
stopped in some convenient tlles and The
assistant went on, purchased new suit of
clothes and carried them to him. They
were donned and the professor returned to
his hotel
The careful readers of the San Francisco
papers will have noticed that somewhat
eminent botanist is stopping in that city.
He is without perfect specimen of the Z
pluribus eomeatibus, but says he does not
care for one. He feels that the pursuit of
botany is pleasant one, but it has its draw
backs.-Stockton Mail, Sept s:h.