The San Francisco call., 1896-04-20

WIFI the 1Qea That he or she has been look
ing at smilax.
Talking of ferns,' continued the FORE
man, drawing attention to a growth at the
entrance to the western end of the conserv-
atory and under the shade of a tall bush,
the Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis, which bears a
handsome red flower that is the pride of
the women of Mexico, who use it TO CO.
quettishly dress the hair, "here is an
other curiosity, and it comes from the Ha-
waiian Islands,
The object pointed to looks like an i'm
mense bowl made of long light-green
leaves.
THAT said Mr.. Holbrow. "is called the
bird 's-nest fern because it is in the shape
of very large nest. 1t always retains its
present shape, new leaves taking the place
of those that die"
Entering the space under the great dome
Mr.. Holbrow drew attention to growth
that has at its foot sign on which is
painted, "Papyrus Antiquorum-Ancient
Paper Plant Of Egypt" and said: THAT
is remarkable plant, not because it is
the plant of which the ancients mad e
paper, but because it is an historical one.
The little sign at the foot does not draw
much attention to it, but if one was sub
stituted announcing that it is what grows
on the banks of the Nile and is of the kind
OF bulrushes in which Moses was found in
basket by Pharaoh's daughter there
would be so manv people stop to look at it
that the walk would be blocked all day."
There was large number of people
around the bandstand listening to the
music and the auditors were particularly
charmed with the trombone solo of F. K.
Tobin.
The addition to the museum is rapidly
nearing completion, and it is expected
that in month it will be ready for the
public.
There has been received for the museum
very interesting collection of ninety-one
specimens from the Selangor Museum, at
Selangor, Straits Settlement, which will
be placed in the natural history depart
ment.
"This," said Curator Wilcomb, holding
up small piece of volcanic glass. ''is a
very rare specimen of obsidian. AS YOU
see, it is rose-colored and is full of small
bubbles, such as you sometimes see in ice.
1t comes from the Yukon in Alaska. and
is something entirely new. Obsidian, as
we know it, is black, but this is a stranger
to mineralogists.
The specimen when viewed under DOW
erful glass shows number of globules of
uniform size that look like little balls of
quicksilver. When the specimen is held
to the sun it shows a beautiful play of
colors as striking as those of the finest
opal.
triple row of palms has been planted
all around the grand court, the trees divid-
ing the portions of the grand circle set
apart for pedestrians, vehicles and cyclers.
There was large crowd at the beach
and Sutro baths were crowded, the great
attraction being the Chinese troupe OF
actors and their wonderful costumes. which
are said to be the richest that have ever
been worn by Chinese actors in this City.
The top dressing in the great highway is
being placed on the coarser rock, and it
Will not be long before the boulevard Is
ready for travel.
AT the Haight-streets ground there were
great many people. They were delighted
with the japanese fireworks, some sixty
pieces being sent up, but they were disap-
pointed because the balloon ascension was
not success. The sphere rose about sew
enty-flve feet, when it became cranky,
turned head down and dragged over the
trolley tower. Markeburg, who hung to
the trapeze about fifteen feet from the
ground, had narrow escape from being
oashed against the tower. AS a result of
the collision part of the tower was torn
away and an electric-light wire damaged.