44 
This is abundantly distinct from D. sericea Nutt., to which it is 
allied. In that species the sheaths are densely villous, and the 
marginal hairs of the appressed-pubescent flowering scales are 
about 3 mm. long, instead of 2 mm. as in D. glabra, 
An apparently undescribed Species of Prunus from Connecticut. 
By Joun K, SMALL, 
(PLATE 292.) 
To venture to describe a new species of Prunus from the long a 
explored territory of the State of Connecticut may seem to some _ 
to be questionable, but so clear a. case has recently come to my 
notice that to do otherwise would be unjust to nature. 
The plant in question is a low slender branching- shrub, reach- 3 
ing a maximum height of about twelve decimeters. The main _ 
stem is clothed with a dark rough bark and, like the principal — 
branches, is leafless, the ascending twigs and branchlets only pro- ? 
ducing leaves. The small white flowers are confined to the — 
branchlets just below the leaf-producing parts. The small globose S 
drupe is deep purple or almost black, covered with an abundant — 
light blue bloom. To the taste the fruit is bitter and astringent. “— 
The species occurs on a cross-shaped area, on a low gravelly 
ridge near Long Island Sound, at Groton, Connecticut, and is re- 
lated to Prunus maritima, which grows in the immediate neighbor- | 
hood and under precisely the same conditions, thus affording an 
excellent opportunity for a comparison of characters: a 
1. The new species is lower, more slender and delicate in 
habit than Prunus maritima, maturing both its leaves and fruit 
earlier in the season. _ 
2. The small suborbicular type of leaf, as against the larger 
elongated type characteristic of the beach plum. This character 
is very apparent from the time the buds begin to unfold. — 
3. The smaller flowers with the suborbicular petals, which are — 
about 5 mm. in diameter and abruptly narrowed at the base, as 
compared with the larger broadly obovate petals of Prunus mart 
_ dima, which are gradually narrowed at the Me C8 
