16 
and yet reappeared as rapidly as it vanished. I soon saw that it 
- arose from no foreign source, but was connected with the tree it- 
self; for two or three small clouds would suddenly appear in — 
nearly as many different parts of the tree at nearly the same mo ~ 
ment; and as each would be driven off and dispersed a new one ~ 
would appear elsewhere. These puffs of smoke were all of nearly — 
uniform size, each perhaps as large as that which is made by the — 
lighting of a lucifer match. They were entirely confined to the — 
tree, not a particle being visible beyond its outline, and appeared — 
throughout its whole extent. 
I watched the phenomenon for some time, till I became entirely 
satisfied that the seeming smoke really proceeded from the tree it — 
self, and that it could be nothing else than the pollen, from the — 
catkins which opened with a sudden explosion in the rays of the sun. — 
The phenomenon continued in full activity as-long as I was ab 
liberty to observe it, and when I was obliged to leave the spot, after — 
some ten minutes of observation, the process was still going OD, — 
two or three of the little puffs constantly appearing in widely se- 
parated branches at every instant. B..N. Magrin. — 
96. Presses.—I have been interested in your remarks on the size of 
holders ete. They were very opportune. I am satisfied that we 
should have more herbariums, if young collectors had more 1s 
truction on this subject. - 
I have often thought of describing my press. I have used the — 
lever and the screw press both, and prefer the one I have now t0 — 
either: it consists of two pieces of pine boards, 12 = 17 inches, an — 
half a dozen stones, weighing from 5 to 10 Ibs. each. The advan-— 
tage of this simple contrivance is, that it is cheap and within the — 
means and ingenuity of any one, and that it constantly acts by 
force of gravity. 2 
I have besides } dozen pieces of Binder’s Boards, well painted, to — 
put between fresh and partly cured plants. Several presses can be — 
substituted, or bits. of board can be used instead of Binders — 
Boards, when cheapness is an object. ‘ 
I make pads or driers by cutting newspapers to the size of the — 
boards of the press, and fastening 8 thicknesses together by stitch- 
ing the corners with strong thread. O. R. Wrx11s, White Plains. — 
27. Cerastium vulgatum, L.—grows sparingly on the rocks on the : 
Westchester side of Harlem River, east of McComb’s Bridge. 
98, Exchanges—A correspondent in England wishes to exchange 
mosses and marine alge. It seems that packets can be sent by 
book post at a moderate charge. - 
29, Note Books.—Always take a note book on a botanical excursion. 
Many observations may thus be presefved which would lose their 
value if trusted to uncertain memory. eee 
Terms—One dollar for one copy; five dollars for seven; and half a dollar ‘for every additional 
copy, per annum. : j : 
- - Local Herbarium, 3, B. 33d St—Rditor, 224, B. 10th St. 
