92 Rhodora [May 



nounces the species to be Valerianclla olitoria Poll. This and allied 

 species are sometimes cultivated under the name of "Corn Salad" in 

 this vicinity. — Ora W. Knight, Bangor, Maine. 



NoTK ON Equisetum pratense. — Equisetum pratense, Ehrh.,. 

 appears to be very rare in the United States, although more common 

 in Canada and Alaska. It has been reported from New England 

 several times, but erroneously so far as my observations have gone. 

 While attending the meetings of the Josselyn Society of Maine on 

 July 2nd, I explored the south bank of "Old Point," Norridgewock. 

 It is quite steep, perhaps 35 feet high, and made up of sand. Here 

 I noticed a peculiar Equisetum and to my delight found it to be the 

 much-wanted E. pratense. It grew down the south face of the blufif 

 and on top among bushes and trees. Later in the day I found it> 

 but sparingly, in a cedar swamp at Madison, which fact shows that 

 its habitat is varied, and that it is presumably common in northern 

 New England. It has been overlooked for the reason that in 

 appearance it is half-way between E. arveuse and E. si/vaticum, so 

 that casual observers are likely to take it for one or the other of 

 these species. From the first it may be told, when growing in the 

 sun, by the fact that the top is a little oblique as in E. silvaticum 

 while the upper branches are deflexed and then horizontal. In 

 shade it is more pyramidal than E. arvense, and the branches are 

 finer. It can be told at once on examination of the stem, even with- 

 out a lens, as E. arvmse is smooth, while E. pratense is covered 

 by tall, flatfish spinules that often give it a gray tinge. It can also 

 be easily separated from E. silvaticum by its simple branches, those 

 of the latter species being always compound. E. pratense is, in 

 general, a more nearly erect species, the stem usually being quite 

 perpendicular, the oblique appearance where present being caused 

 by the deflexed branches. — A. A. Eaton, North Easton, Mass. 



Vol. 6, no. 64., including pages 65 to So and plates ^2 and jj, was issued 



6 April, igo4. 



