THE PLANT WORLD 9 



timber right upon these lands has been given to lumbermen, but at the 

 same time the interests of the State have been carefully looked to. 



State legislation as a result of all other efforts is no doubt the most 

 important means of preserving native plants. With the hearty co-oper- 

 ation of the public, with the well-directed aid of societies, with the 

 regulations already in force in different States, further action of our law- 

 making bodies will become a certainty. Every State in the Union has 

 its game laws. Why can not every State in the Union protect its plants 

 by like means? Connecticut has already taken measures to preser\^e 

 some of her species in this way. Her sister States will do well to follow 

 her example. 



The time has come when we must take action, when we must put 

 forth some strong effort to save the treasures of our fields and forests. 

 We dare no longer turn aside from the plea that Nature is so feebly 

 making and pass on heedless of her cry for help. We can not allow our 

 favorite flowers to be lost because of carelessness and ignorance, or our 

 forests to be devastated in commercial or industrial enterprise. That 

 boasted. patriotism of ours and that love of nature should be used to 

 good purpose in such a cause as this. What is our patriotism worth if 

 it fail in so practical a test ? Of what value to us our love of nature if 

 it do not make us keenly appreciative of her appeal ? For, after all, is it 

 not honest, patriotic, and loving effort, first and last, that will make the 

 most forcible impression and be the most certain means of securing atten- 

 tion and support ? 



New York City. 



Dimorphism in the Shoots of the 



Ginkgo. 



By G. N. Collins. 



Persons to whom the ginkgo is familiar have doubtless noticed the 

 two kinds of shoots, but those who have not examined the trees closely 

 probably think of the short, rough branches with fascicled leaves as lateral, 

 and the long, smooth branches with three-ranked leaves as terminal. 

 This is, however, only partially true, for while there is a tendency for 

 terminal shoots to make rapid growth and for lateral shoots to remain 

 stunted, branches can frequently be found terminating in a fascicle of 

 leaves, and a rapidly expanding shoot will often be seen growing from 

 the side of a branch. 



