J 9o^] Merrill, — Notes on Sporobolus 45 



fresh quantities of alcohol and a scrubbing brush. The poisonous 

 oil may be thus removed in alcoholic solution. Another way of pro- 

 ceeding would be to wash the exposed parts with an alcoholic 

 solution of lead acetate ; in this case the poisonous principle would 

 be first transformed in its insoluble lead compound and then washed 

 away with alcohol. 



The washing must be done thoroughly when alcohol is employed, 

 as otherwise the alcohol might only serve to distribute the oil more 

 widely over the skin. The finger nails should be cut short and also 

 perfectly cleaned with the scrubbing brush. Oily preparations, or 

 anything which dissolves the poisonous oil, if used, should be 

 immediately removed, as they may only spread the poison, giving it 

 a larger area on which to work. 



The treatment above outlined can not cure the already inflamed 

 parts which must heal by the usual process of repair, but it does 

 prevent the spreading of the inflammation and may serve to remove 

 the poison before it has had time to produce its characteristic effects 

 upon the skin. 



Harvard Medical School, Boston. 



NOTES ON SPOROBOLUS. 1 

 Elmer D. Merrill. 



Sporobolus depauperatus (Torr.) Scribn. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club. 

 10: 63. 18S3. 



Vilfa squarrosa Trim Agrost. 1 : 78. 1840. 



Vilfa depaupcrata Torr. in Hook. Fl. Bor. Am. 2: 257. /. 2j6. 

 1840. 



There has been little confusion regarding this species owing to the 

 fact that Hooker's excellent plate leaves no doubt as to the identity 

 of the species. In the field this species is very distinct and at once 

 recognized by its densely tufted habit, and prostrate culms which are 

 seldom 1 dm. high, and much stouter than in Sporobolus ric/iardsonii. 



The type locality of Vilfa depauperata is " Hab. N. W. America, 



1 See also Nash, Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, 22 : 464, 465, Bot. Gaz. 21 : 155 ; Scrib- 

 ner, Bot. Gaz. 21 : 14, 15. 



