82 
species of Leavenworthia, anda description of Hypericum lobo- 
carpum, Gattinger; Koehne’s arrangement of the Lythracez is 
adopted , a var. pygmaeus of Cyperus strigosus and three varie- 
ties of Panicum capillare, L., are described, and numerous sug- 
gestive notes are scattered through the catalogue. 
Tree Trunk and its Branches.—B. F. Hoyt. (Amer. Nat., xxi., 
pp. 76, 77.) 
From four hundred measurements of trunks and-of branches 
just above the crotch, Mr. Hoyt reaches the interesting conclu- 
sion that the limbs just above the point of branching contain 11 
per cent. more wood than the trunk just below this point. But 
as the strength is as the cubes of the circumferences, the trunk is 
stronger than the sum of the limbs by about 13 per cent. 
Uncinula flexuosa, Peck, on Leaves of the Horse-chestnut.—J. L. 
Zabriskie. (Journ. N. Y. Micros. Soc., ii., pp. 144, 145.) 
Vermicularia phlogina, n. sp. Charles E. Fairman. Bot. Ga- 
zette,, xii., p. 67.) 
West Coast Botany.—Analytical Key ‘to. Volney Rattan. 
(Pamphlet, small 8vo., pp. 128, San Francisco, 1887.) 
This work is announced as “ preliminary to a West Coast 
Botany for beginners, which will probably be completed within 
three years.” Concise descriptions of the Polypetalze except 
Umbelliferae, the Gamopetalz except Compositz, and the mono- 
cotyledonous orders Alismacez, Orchidacee, Iridaceze and Lili- 
acez. No Apetalee are given. In his proposed West Coast 
Botany the author intends to “ include some of the Apetale and 
perhaps a tribe of Composite.” Why not include them all? 
Our experience with the several incomplete floras of this kind 
has been far from satisfactory. The amateur finding a common 
plant, and not being able to identify it by means of his book, is 
very likely to be discouraged, while the work itself falls into dis- 
credit. The area of territory covered by Mr. Rattan’s Key is 
west of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains, and from San 
Diego to Puget Sound. 
Wild Spring Flowers under Cultivation.. "Ernest Volk. (Journ. | 
Trenton Nat. Hist. Soc., i., pp. 46- 52.) 
Wilmington Flora.—A List of Plants growing about Wilming- 
ton, North Carolina, with Dates of Flowering.. Thomas F. 
