The morning call., 1893-11-28
LOWER CALIFORNIA.

The spirit which the California Academy
of Sciences is showing in explorations Of
Lower California is praisewOrthy from
not only the naturalists' point of view
but that of the cultivator and the mercan-
tile community. 1t is not too much to say
that the region around Cape st. Lucas and
north Of it was literally, until the academy
sent out expeditions, as little known as
Arizona and California were before the
Journeys of Fremont. The coast line has
been known with general accuracy for
centuries, but of the interior, the climate
the plant and animal life. the products
useful to man. the dearth of knowledge
was profound, and those who had oppor-
tunities of learning were without the
scientific training TO observe and compare
accurately. 1t is the mission of science
not inspired by any sordid motive. but
aciuated by thirst of knowledge for its
own sake, to be the pioneer in discovery.
and mankind reaps the applied benefit in
tangible profits. In this latter part Of the
century the rambles OF the insect collector
and bOtanist are too valuable 10 be treated
lightly by the unitarian creators of So
called wealth, as was the custom genera
tiOn ago. The man who finds out some new
properties in woods. dyes or natural prod
ucts of any kind may be entitled to much
greater share of gratitude than the builder
of q railroad, who simply is a navy on
captalistic scale.
The expedition to Baja California now
concluded by Mr.. and Mrs. I. S. Bran
degee and DR.. Gustav Essen has had brill
liant results in additions to the store OF
inf iah hoh w
accumulated. They brought back with
them rich contributions to the flora and
fauna collections of the museum, and dur
ing years, it may be, these specimens may
afford occupation in the careful work of
description and classification. The ac-
eOunt is of the cape region dispel the mistS
of ignorance which have envelored it as
an arid waste blistering under the tropical
sun and hardly affording life to a sparse
poverty of species. DR.. Essen shows that
its topography is picturesque, and may
attract the mountaineer fond of alpen-
stock adventure; that its vegetation over
great districts is profuse and peculiarly
interesting in variety and numbers Of in
dgenous species; that the hunter has
mighty game, but is happily not in the
field yet and birds and small animals are
numerous; that the human community is
almost ideal in simplicity, peacefulness
and honesty. doing without jails, judges,
police or soldiers. and requiring neither
lock nor key; and that commercially the
products of the region are well worthy of
attention. To this State there may be
much gain from study of the fruits and
woods of the lower part Of the peninsula.
the probability being that everything
there growing would thrive in California.
The doctor has distributed some fruits
and seeds for experimental purposes. Nor
is the florist without inducement to study
this region. Society goes into rage over
new flowers. and those which excite won
der command a lavish price. As to the
insects, the naturalist has secret convic-
ton they were created to lead him into
labyrinths of classification, and be delights
In the mazes. Yet in the beauty of but
ierfly's wings the prosaic manufacturer
has thoughts for his fabrics, and the hum
blest weed or molusk may yield a dye
superbly beautiful to deck the world and
enrich the kings of industry.