88 Recent Literature. [ ZOE 
The absolute identity of the buckeye Ascomyces with that of the 
peach can only be proved by a series of direct infections of healthy 
trees. In the meantime we trust our horticultural friends will pay 
some attention to their neighboring buckeyes, and furnish us notes. 
as to the extent to which it prevails in various localities. 
— -- 
CORNUS SESSILIS Torr. fruits abundantly just below the railroad 
embankment at Blue Cafion and grows in Amador a few miles above 
Volcano to a much greater height than that given by Mr. Coulter in 
Bot. Gaz. xv, 33. The fruit is very dark red. ~ 7 S28. 
RECENT LITERATURE. - 
From the number of amateur ornithological papers received of 
late it would seem that this class of literature is steadily increasing, 
Whether these publications are a benefit or an evil to those who 
read them is a matter worthy of consideration. There is no doubt 
that they exercise considerable influence on the rising generation, 
some of whom are to be our future scientists, but is it a good influ- 
ence? This question may best be answered by considering three of 
these papers of recent date, the Stormy Petrel, the Maine Ornithol- 
ogist and Oologist, and the American Osprey. 
The initial number of the Stormy Petrel was published in April of 
this year at Mendota, Ill. It is a four-page monthly which the ed- 
itors (Smith & Co.) promise to enlarge in a short time, and it is their 
hope that their readers will help them ‘‘in making the Stormy 
Petrel the best ornithological paper published in America.’’ (!) 
When we look over this insignificant little paper, this statement 
seems positively ludicrous. It would be a waste of time to look for 
a single new fact or even an original observation in its columns. 
The first page is largely taken up with an extract from ‘Oliver 
Davie'’s Book,” while an advertisement of the same occupies the last 
page. The other articles are ‘‘ The Largest Egg in the World” 
(that of Apyornis maximus ), “The Longevity of Birds” and the 
“Rubby-throated Humming Bird.” 
The April number of the Maine Ornithologist and Oologist, pub- 
lished at Garland, Me., is but a slight improvement on the paper 
considered above. It is an eight-page monthly, five pages and a 
half of which are devoted to editorials and advertisements, The 
