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caulis, he indicated two species, V.-denudata and N. foliosa. 
Bentham regarded the two species as one, in which he was prob- 
ably right, the more so as Nuttall says they grow together and 
perhaps are not distinct; and to the combined species he gave the 
name of WV. Nuttallii, obviously because neither of Nuttall’s 
names was properly applicable to the species as he regarded it. 
This mode of proceeding has not been rare in similar cases, and 
in the present instance seems to be quite justified, if not actually 
demanded, by the rule that false names are inadmissible. 
Note on Sarracenia variolaris,* 
Last March I had in my room, in Gainesville, Florida, a vase 
full of Sarracenia variolaris (Yellow pitcher plant), and my at- 
tention was attracted towards one blossom which failed to open 
all of its petals. Examining it, I found that two of these, opposite 
each other, clung by their tips to the center of the umbrella- 
Shaped style and were fastened securely there. Using a little 
force, I tore the tips of the petals off, instead of pulling them 
assunder as I had expected to do. I then opened the style with 
a pin and found that the tips of the petals had penetrated the 
style and had reached nearly or quite to its base. 
After that I examined all the blossoms of S. variolaris that 
I could gather, and noticed a considerable number of variations. 
I saw the first case repeated in one instance, but this time there 
was only one petal connected with the style. 
The normal number of sepals and petals is five with the 
margins entire. I found irregularities both in the number and in 
the shape of these. Often there were notches in the petals, and 
these were sometimes found in the sepals too. The division was 
even carried so far that occasionally six petals would be found. 
__ There were also irregular notches in the umbrella-shaped top of 
the style. In several cases the yellow petals were marked with 
delicate reddish lines at the base. MARY F. PEIRCE. 
*COMMUNICATED BY Dr. Gray.—On examination of the style in some of the 
specimens supplied by Miss Peirce, we find that it is more or less hollow, the tube 
widening at the orifice. Perhaps there is a viscid secretion, by which the tips of the 
petals were stuck fast. This should be looked to next spring, on the living plants. 
We cannot make out what is meant by the tips of the petals having ‘‘ penetrated the 
style.”’ AsA Gray. 
