47 
dense, L., and L. superbum, L:, the latter averaging a height of 
ten feet, with clusters of more than fifteen flowers. The follow- 
ing were also successfully cultivated: Chrysopsis Mariana, 
Nutt.; Lobelia cardinalis, L.; Chelone glabra, L.; Gentiana 
Andrewsii, Griseb., and Helenium autumnale, L.; but failure has 
attended all efforts to raise Gerardia purpurea, L., either from 
root or seed, owing, probably, to its partially parasitic habit. 
Xanthorrhiza apitfolia, L'Her. (Drugs and Medicines of N. A., 
i, pp. 289-304; Pl. xxv., figs. 99-105; with Index and 
Title Page to Vol. i.) 
An interesting discussion of the various names by which this 
plant has been known, follows the botanical description. The 
authors discredit L’Heritier’s name, and claim precedence for 
that of X. simplicissima, Marshall (Arbust. Amer., p. 168,) holding 
also that the genus is more closely allied to the Berberidacea, 
and is at present wrongly classed. The statement is made that 
the rhizomes are so nearly like those of Berberis repens and B. 
aquifolium, that they could be substituted in commerce. Fur- 
thermore, G. D. Perrins demonstrated, in 1862, that the yellow 
coloring matter, which gives Xanthorrhiza its intensely bitter 
taste, was berberine, and subsequent investigations have failed to 
discover any other alkaloid. 
Botanical Notes. 
Anew Algological Fournal.—The publication of a periodical 
devoted to Alga, under the title Notarisia Commentarium 
Phycologicum, has been begun in Venice, Italy, under the editor- 
ship of Messrs. G. B. DeToni and David Levi. Systematic 
descriptions and illustrations of Mediterranean forms are com- 
menced in the first number, and much other matter of interest to 
Algologists is presented. a. 
A new Work on Hepatice.—Mr. Gotthold Hahn has recently 
published a small handy volume on the Liverworts of Germany, — 
entitled “Die Lebermoose Deutschlands.” 133 species are ee 
described and go of them figured on twelve beautifully colored 
plates. By comparing the species with Professor Underwood's 
Catalogue of North American Hepatica we find that over 100 
of these are represented in America. The book will therefore _ 
