THE PLANT WORLD 93 



these leaves. Accordingly, it was witli surprise and pleasure that the 

 writer discovered, on April 19, 1902, in rich woods along the Potomac 

 River, in the middle of a clump of thirty or more plants of the sessile- 

 flowered trillium (Tnllmm sessile L.), a plant bearing two of these leaves. 

 In the accompaning drawing, executed by Miss Mausie Cameron, of 

 Washington, the characteristics of these leaves are clearly shown. It is 

 necessary to emphasize only the fact that these leaves sprang, each 

 from the node nearest the apices of two very tiny branches from the main 

 rootstock. But for the persistent bud sheaths from which these leaves 

 were produced, it is highly probable that the branches would have es- 

 caped notice. 



Now the questions arise — How often are these leaves produced ? 

 Do they occur on other than very young rootstocks or their branches ? 

 At what season do they occur in the greatest number? How widely, 

 geographically, do they occur ? How long do they persist and function ? 

 Any answer to these questions will be welcomed by the writer, whether 

 addressed to him personally or to The Plant World. — E. L. Moreis, 

 Western High School, Washingfon, D. C. 



THE SNOW PLANT OF THE SIERRA NEVADAS. 



Last July, while on a tour to the Yosemite Valley, I came across two 

 or three specimens of the rare snow-plant of the Sierras, which, of all 

 the novel and charming plants of that region of floral abundance, must 

 take precedence ; as the day that I first saw this curious blossom will 

 always be remembered with a thrill of delight. 



Starting soon after breakfast vntli a few companions we left the 

 camp far behind us and turned in the direction of Glacier Point. The 

 trail wound through various kinds of underbrush — spreading dogbane, 

 spiraea and manzanita, and various bright blossoms passed in review as 

 we reached the higher altitudes — columbines, daisies, Mariposa tulips, 

 lupines, wild lilacs and alpine phlox. Presently the way grew steeper 

 and more rocky, and the wonderful panorama of valley, mountains and 

 falls loomed up grandly. 



Near the summit, whicli is 3200 feet above the floor of the valley, we 

 entered a magnificent forest of firs and cedars, through which a tiny brook 

 frolicked amid boulders and fern-embowered nooks. There in a shadowy 

 recess of those woodlands, with the soft glint of the sunlight playing 

 upon it, vi\dfying its brilliant crimson until it seemed as though rich 

 blood suffused its entire form almost converting it into an animated be- 

 ing, was our first snow-plant. 



How its crimson bells glowed in the sunlight ! How strangely 

 the intense hue contrasted with the soft greens and browns of the shrub- 



