15 
made all the illustrations for Dr. Gray’s Genera of the Plants of 
the United States, and in that work the cells of Sarracenia are 
correctly represented as opposite the sepals. M. De Candolle asks, 
: Has he committed an error in the plate of the Darlingtonia? 
‘Considering his usual accuracy, I doubt it. On the other hand, it 
“is difficult to believe in contrary symmetries in genera so closely 
: allied. I have discovered a similar fact in the family of Campa- 
: nulaceze, and it has enabled me to establish several genera, which 
ares besides, indicated by their external appearance. The thing, 
v then, is not without a parallel, though it is very rare, and should 
" be well examined before being admitted. I would, therefore, point 
: out to American botanists, and particularly to Dr. Torrey, the 
great importance of verifying fig. 1 of Sprague’s plate.” 
In making the details of the original drawing, Mr. Sprague had 
at his disposal only a single flower of a dried specimen, and it was 
not until recently that I have been able to test, in a satisfactory 
manner, the accuracy of his analysis. It is known to most of our 
botanists, that after waiting many years to see the plant in a living 
state, we have, through the kindness of the brothers Messrs. Henry, 
who reside near where it grows abundantly in California, and by 
the liberality and prompt action of Messrs. Wells, Fargo & Co’s 
Express, received fresh living specimens, several of which 
have flowered. I am now able to state that a ead ag has shown 
‘his usual accuracy” in all the details of his drawing. The cells 
of the ovary are alternate with the sepals. Indeed, I have found 
scarcely any thing to add or alter, now that we have the living 
plant for comparison. 
The theoretical structure of the flower of Darlingtonia, we think, 
accords with what is actually the case. The stamens are in a single 
Series, and are mostly about 15 ia number. If we assume that they 
represent only five, each by collateral chorisis increased to three, 
they will form a verticil alternating with the petals, so that_ they 
will necessarily alternate with the carpels also. In Sarracenia the — 
stamens are in a double series, and probably, as in Darlingtonia, 
multiplied by chorisis; the two verticils alternating with each other, 
So that the carpels, in this view, will be opposite the sepals. 
Cotumara Cotter, April 11th, 1871. 
45, Broussonetia.— Early in May last I witnessed a remarkable phe- 
homenon in connection with the inflorescence of Broussonetia pa- 
pyrifera. It was about 9 A. M., and the morning sun was just 
coming over the roof of an adjacent house and striking the branch- __ 
es of the tree, of which the leaves were not yet out, but the catkins 
Were fully formed, though unexpanded. As I casually observed th 
I was struck by seeing a light cloud, apparently of smoke, floating _ 
amid the branches. I imagined that it must come from some 
Neighboring chimney; but, upon attentive observation, no 8 
smoke could be discerned. There was no smoking chimney . 
hor, in a city where anthracite is so generally burned, is it ever 
-_€asy to find one. : eee ee 
e smoke appeared for a moment, drifted away with the wind, 
