voL. Iv.] Writings of Edward L. Greene. 85 
usually entirely obscured by the broad hyaline margin of the 
sepals. It is very common in sandy places in California and 
runs into many forms, as diverse in the size of petals and the 
markings of the seeds as any other species. Bentham & 
Hooker are probably right in considering the numerous species 
reducible to three or four, and so far at least as California is 
concerned all our forms are European, and either introduced 
or common to maritime shores. 
Viola pinetorum Greene, is reduced by the author to . pur- 
purea Kell. It was described as ‘‘having truly violet colored 
petals; all other known species of the group being yellow-flow- 
ered.” In Flora Franciscana, however, he reduces it without 
explanation to the yellow-flowered V. Nuttalliz. 
Viola Douglasii Steud. is substituted for V. chrysantha Hook. 
on account of an older homonym; then as Philippi has named 
another species (from Chili) . chrysantha, Mr. Greene furnishes 
that also with a new name, V. Philippiana. All this without 
troubling himself in the slightest degree about the validity of 
the species involved, and apparently without taking the trouble 
to notice the previous 7. Philippi Leyb. 
Calypiridium (Spraguea) nudum Greene is a condensed 
subalpine form of Spraguea umbellata Torr. 
Claytonia nubigena Greene is a common form of C. per- 
foliata Donn. 
Sidalcea tenella Greene is S. Hartwegi Gray. 
Sidalcea secundiflora Greene is a variety of S. diploscypha 
Gray. 
Sidalcea campestris Greene is founded on the sterile (male) 
plants of, apparently, S. Oregana Nutt. 
The perennial species of Sidalcea are certainly not nearly so 
numerous as has been supposed. Long suites of specimens from 
many localities show that the differences relied upon as specific 
are far from constant. Even the generic type is becoming much 
weakened by forms in which the double series of anthers is much 
less evident. It is remarkable that Sidalcea should have been 
considered beakless when nearly every species is beaked more or 
less strongly. Mr. Greene, who has probably never seen the 
