170 



common only there. That the word ''common'' is too broad ^ 

 term is plain, since it does not occur throughout, as is evident 

 from its absence from Pennsylvania, and my experience with it 

 In the lake region confirms this, since it Is a plant local in char- 

 acter of habitat, though abundunt in any locality adapted to Its 

 nature of growth. Its peculiar mode of growth causes it to pro- 

 duce abundance of seed and plant them effectually, thus securing 

 a numerous progeny where it happens to grow. But its confine- 

 ment to lif^ht or sandy soil necessarily restricts its area. Such, 

 at least, is its character In the western region. It is found in such 

 localities along the Great Lakes, and extends into the Mississippi 

 basin In Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Nuttall is probably 

 the earliest authority for Its presence at the West. In his Genera 

 (ii. 87) he says, " P. polyga7)ia, Ph. Hab. — In the pine forests 



of Lake Michigan. Tlie plants Nuttall used in his description 

 were not from the same locality from which Pursh obtained the 



species described in his Flora (ii. 465.) ''the pine barrens of 



Carolina,*' for Nuttall adds to his characterization, '' Mr. Pursh's 

 plant appears to differ considerably from the one here described, 

 but I am persuaded it is the same from a good specimen which 

 I have seen In the possession of Z. Collins, Esq., agreeing with 

 the Michigan plant." Its range along the Great Lakes is about 

 equal to their extent. Macoun gives it from the Lake of the 

 Woods at the west, to the plains of Rice Lake, north of the cen- 

 tral part of Lake Ontario. It therefore is represented in four of 

 the river systems or groups of North America as defined by 

 Guyot; the Atlantic slope of the Appalachian Mountains, the St. 

 Lawrence, the Mississippi, and the valley of the Red and Nelson 

 that discharge into Hudson Bay. 



The second plant of the list to be noticed is Phragmites com- 

 munis, Trin. "Edges of ponds,'' says the Manual. /'Along the 

 coast and the Great Lakes, but not elsewhere," adds Prof Porter. 

 A ^e'w references will show that It Is not restricted to this range 

 either In extent or abundance. In the catalogue of the Plants of 

 Indiana, compiled by the editors of the Botanical Gazette, it is ac- 

 corded a station In the extreme southwestern part of the State 

 on the authority of Dr. J. Schenck. It evidently Is found 

 throughout the State, as we learn from the preface of the cata- 



> 



