164 
dency to dimorphism. The stamens are at least three and the petals 
never more than three, so that it is difficult to understand the second 
statement above quoted. 
The object of this note is to enquire if any one has met with. 
dimorphous flowers in Lechea, or can account for the statement. 
54, East 81st Street, N. Y. : WH. LeeacerrT. 
§ 167. Diseased Vaccinium.—I have been shown a curiosity, in 
the shape of a monstrous blue-berry, the fruit of Vaccinium vacil- 
lans. It was distended to the size of a large cranberry, probably by 
the growth of a fungus (Exobasium Vaccinii?) which had taken 
possession of the ovary in its earliest state. All parts of the berry 
were recognizable—the sepals, and underneath them the stamens— 
both filaments and anthers preserving their forms, but proportionally 
distended. The color of the berry was that of the immature fruit, 
white shaded with pink, and the outside was covered with a white 
powder which I suppose to be the spores of the fungus. 
The specimen seemed to me to be a most curious instance of a 
struggle going on between two different vital and morphological 
forces. ‘The form of the berry was well preserved and it did not 
seem to be the policy of the fungus to destroy its life until its own 
had been perfected by the production of spores. Ye OF SS 
§ 168. Foliation.—We were so situated this spring as to be 
unable to pursue this subject, and our correspondents did not fully 
understand the proposed method. The object in view was to ascer- 
tain not the absolute date of the appearance and fall of the leaves, 
but the relative date. For this purpose it is necessary to observe a 
group of two or more trees or shrubs which have the same situation, 
soil and exposure as nearly as may be, and to note their several con- 
temporaneous stages of development. Observations of this sort 
multiplied and the average taken would give with tolerable accuracy 
the order of succession of the appearance and fall of the leaves of 
our plants. The seasons may be early or late, and vary in different 
parts of the country. Does the Sugar Maple regularly leaf later than 
the Red Maple, the English Elm than the American, the Yellow 
Willow than the Weeping Willow? and how much later? Such are 
examples of the points to be ascertained. 
§ 169. Botanical Geography of Syria.—The article under this 
heading in our last No. was written by Prof. George E. Post, M.D., 
of Beirut, Syria, who promises to continue his notes. Dr. Post 
desires southern and western species in exchange for plants of Syria 
and the adjacent regions. 
v $170. Errata.—§ 155, for ‘“ Duchatre” read “ Duchartre” ; § 166, 1. 11, 
read “‘ Cryptonemia” ; p. 159, Il. 8 and 9, for “on any” read “, or@fy”. 
Terms—One Dollar per annum beginning with the January number. For the Botanical 
Directory 30 cents Supplement to Directory, 10 cents. Vols. 1-V., with index, and 
photograph of Dr. Torrey, $3.75. Copies of Constitution and B -Laws of the Club, 25 
cents. Address, WM. H. LEGGETT, 54, East 81st Street, New Voed. Money Orders on 
Station K, P.O.,N. ¥. All subscriptions or orders filled only on receipt of the money, 
The Club meets regularly the last Tuesday of the month in the Herbarium, Colunthia College, 
at 7:30 P. M. Botanists are invited to attend. Dr. THURBER, the President 
may be found at 245 Broadway. es 
