272 
that of the eastern United States. In fact about as many Japanese 
species have as many near allies in Pacific America as in other 
portions of the country, if we exclude the species quite generally 
distributed through the north temperate zone. 
Discussing the paper, Prof. Britton cited a number of in- 
stances among spermatophytes, in which species supposed to be 
common to Japan and eastern North America had been shown to 
be distinct. He maintained that the theory of migration, as ordi- 
narily accepted, was insufficient to account for such similarity be- 
tween the floras of the two regions as actually exists. Mr. T. H. 
Kearney, Jr., remarked that in comparing the grass-flora of the 
two regions he had found that, exclusive of circumboreal species, 
only two species are in common. 
The second paper was by P. A. Rydberg, entitled « Floral 
Features of Western Nebraska.” It is a popular misconception 
that the country from Illinois to the Rocky Mountains constitutes 
one undifferentiated region. In fact there are two entirely differ- 
ent regions, viz.: 1. The Prairie Region with rich loam and a com- 
paratively good supply of rain and extending into the Eastern 
Dakotas, Nebraska and Kansas. 2. The Region of the Great 
Plains, with dry hard soil and scanty rainfall and comprising the 
western portion of said States, Eastern Colorado and Montana and 
the larger portion of Wyoming. In Nebraska the prairie region 
includes the eastern and south central portion of the State. The 
north central portion constitutes a region unique to Nebraska, the - 
Sand-Hill Region, described at one of the February meetings of 
the Club. Mr. Rydberg corrected a statement made by him then, 
z.: that he had seen “ blow outs” in that region 300 feet deep ; 
he had intended to say 300 feet in diameter and 60 to 70 feet 
deep. 
The western portion of the State is made up of high plains, ex- 
cept a small portion of the northwestern corner containing the 
“Pine Ridge” and the “ Bad Lands” of White River and Hat 
Creek. The plains have very few rivers, and the drainage is 
mostly by means of “sand-draws.” Seen from a hill a sand-draw 
resembles a well-beaten and winding sandy road. It is a stream 
with no visible water. The water is running from one to fifteen 
feet below the surface. Even the larger streams, as the Lodge Rote. ae 
a and South Platte, sometimes sink down in the sand. 
