Vol. VI., No. 24.) BULLETIN OF THE TORREY BoranicaL Cxus. [New York, Dec., 1876, 
§ 130. Foliation.—The distinction between deciduous and ever- 
green shrubs or trees is founded on the observation that the former 
drop their leaves on the approach of winter or of the dry season, and 
that the latter keep them till the return of spring or its equivalent 
the rainy season. Some plants, however, which are deciduous to- 
wards the north, are evergreen further south ; while again others, 
either owing to local shelter or to later determination of the articu- 
lation, bear their leaves in whole or in part far into the winter. This 
is a very general statement of an interesting subject which may be 
found more fully discussed in text-books, Gray’s “ Structural and 
Systematic Botany ” for example. But here, as in every other de- 
partment of science, there is abundant need and opportunity for the 
systematic accumulation of facts and observations. Not only in the 
retention or discharge of their leaves, but also in the season of their 
display do trees differ, and in other points which we purpose pre- 
senting on some other occasion. The different habits of species in 
this respect seem to be less fixed than other characteristics, though 
durable enough when compared with the life of man,-and perhaps 
the subject of their variation and their more recent geological history 
may be advantageously approached in this direction. It is noticea- 
ble, for example, that the Cladrastis, the Paulownia, the Catalpa, 
the Ailanthus, the Broussonetia, and other exotic trees which are 
cultivated about New York for shade or ornament, are later in 
putting on their foliage than the great body of the natives; while, 
on the other hand, the English Elm, the Weeping Willow, the 
Chinese Wistaria, and many other foreigners, hold their leaves later 
than the aborigines, 
For the purpose of gathering facts on this subject, we intend 
publishing monthly a Calendar of Leaves, and invite all who are in- 
terested in any part of the country to contribute. It is requisite 
that each contribution should give the name of the observer, the 
locality, the condition of two or three other trees or shrubs in the 
immediate vicinity, the date of the observation, and such other 
notes as may seem of value. Our November calendar is given 
merely as a specimen :— 
§ 131, LEAF CALENDAR. 
Noy. 26. Rosa lucida, Ehr.?—Many discolored leaves. A low bush 
Rubus villosus, Ait.—Some red leaves on low bushes. 
Vaccinium, spec.—Red leaves on low young bushes. 
The above were noticed in a wood on Bergen Point, 
N. J., between New York and Newark bays.— 
WH. in 
Prunus Persica, the Peach, was noticed in leaf by Mr. 
Le Roy, in Westchester Co. 
“« 99. Salix Babylonica, Tourn., the Weeping Willow, alone 
still retains some foliage in the parks and grounds 
about the city. 
Wistaria Sinensis, Chinese Wistaria, still keeps many 
leaves where sheltered by walls from the north and 
west. Cratzgus Oxyacantha, L., close by one speci- 
men, with equal shelter, was quite bare.—W. H. L. 
