177 



by the corolla tips. In our hybrid the mean is struck, with this 

 exception that the corollas are not of as uniform a length as in 

 the types. Two are quite short and the others are long, as if 

 there was an indecision due to contending forces naturally ex- 

 pected in a hybrid. But the point that is most interestingly 

 striking is the happy mixing of the floral colors. The ligulate 

 corollas are of peculiar purple and yellow, not easily described in 

 words. To say they are rose is to come near, but not to accur- 

 ately name the shade. The lower part of the flowers have a de- 

 cided yellow tint, so that upon looking into the center of the 

 head the inner part is of a yellow cast, while the outer parts, the 

 marginal flowers, have the violet predominating. 



It is rarely that we have such strikingly different colors as 

 purple and yellow in close inflorescences ni species of such mani- 

 fest near kinship as our two Tragopogo)is^ and they open up an 

 interesting field for experiments in artificial hybridization with 

 reference to the permanence of colors and other questions in 

 cross-fertilization. The supposed natural hybrid plant has been 

 marked, and it is hoped to save seed from it and determine if 

 possible the enduring qualities of the progeny. 



Byron D. Halsted. 



Rutgers CohLEOE, May 19, 1890. 



Botrychium simplex, Hitch., in Maryland. 



So far as I am aware this plant has until recently been known 

 from only ''New England, New York and northward."* A va- 

 riety, however, is found in Wyoming Territory and California. 

 During the early part of the summer of 1888, I founds, simplex^ 

 Hitch., growing in an overgrown thicket near EUicott City, Md. 



There were only three small plants growing near one another. 

 I took one and marked the exact spot of the remaining two. 

 Next season I could find no sign of either, but nearby (foot or 

 two) were two others which either were not there the year be- 

 fore or that I did not notice, although I searched the place for 

 some time. Growing in the same thicket I may mention, among 

 the rare ferns, at least in this vicinity, B, ternatuin^ Swz., (two 

 vars.), as well as Ophioglossnm vulgatum^ L., which is, indeed, 



* It has been found on the Pocono Mt., Pennsylvania. — Ed 



