

194 TRANSATIONS OF THE [APR. 24 



established or even migrating over such unfavorable soil. Care- 

 ful search through the various published floras and lists of 

 plants covering that region show but a few scattering species of 

 those which have been enumerated as pine barren plants.* In 

 no instance is there an}^ such colony as we find in Ehode Island 

 and southern Massachusetts. Their presence, therefore, in 

 southeastern New England cannot be reasonably accounted for 

 on the theory of migration by way of the mainland. The only 

 other alternative is to admit that the plants have come to their 

 present location by way of Long Island, and this supposes 

 either a former land connection betw^een that island and the 

 New England coast in comparatively recent times — that is to 

 say, since the Glacial Epoch- -or else that the plants have 

 jumped over wide stretches of salt water. In regard to the 

 latter supposition it can only be said that it is against our 

 previous general observation and experience, and would do 

 violence to what has been observed in regard to the dissemina- 

 tion of plants. In this special instance, also, the prevailing winds 

 and currents are both opposed to such a method of dissemina- 

 tion, the currents in particular being east and west, with a 

 remarkably predominant westward tendency, as may be seen 

 by the wear and tear of the eastern exposures of land and the 

 transportation of the eroded material westward, where it 

 forms the constantly lengthening spits and barrier beaches, 



* The flora of Conneeticut has been poorly worked up compared to that of its 

 adjacent Wtates, but the following list will be of value to those who may wish to 

 obtain details : 



" List of Plants Growing Spontaneously in Litchfield and Its Vicinity " 

 John P. Brace. (Am. Journ. Sci. iv. 69-89 ; 292-309), 1822. 



" Catalogue of Phenogamous Plants and Ferns Growing Without Cultiva- 

 tion Within Five Miles of Yale College, Ct.'' Dr. Tully. (Appendix to E. Bald- 

 win's " History of Yale College ")■ 



" Catalogue of Phenogamous and Cryptogamous Plants Found Growing in 

 Meriden, Conn." Emily J. Leonard. (Trans. Meridan Sci. Assn. i., issi, and 

 seauel in 1885). 



" A Catalogue of All Phenogamous Plants at Present Known to Grow Without 

 Cultivation in the State of Connecticut." Jas. N. Bishop. 



" Plants Found Growing in Meriden, Conn. Since Issue of the Catalogue in 

 1885." Mrs. E. B. Kendrick. (Trans. Meriden Sci. Assn. ii., hi-57.) 



" A List of Forest Trees and Shrubs to be Found in Meriden, Conn." Chas. 

 H. S. Davis. (Trans. Meriden Sci. Assn. iii., 4fi-78.) 



" Notes on the Flora of Southwestern Connecticut." L. N.Johnson. (Bull 

 Torr. Bot. Club, xix., 88-91.) 



If to these we add the '• Flora of Westchester Co." O. R. Willis. 



"Catalogue of the Phaenogamous and Acrogenous Plants Growing Without 

 Cultivation Within Five Miles of Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y." Lyman H 

 Hoysradt. (Supplement Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, vi.) 



"Revised Catalogue of Plants Growing Within Thirty Miles of New York 

 City." (Bull. Torr. Bot. Club, years 1870-187-t.) 



"Preliminary Catalogue of the Anthophyta and Pteridophvta Reported as 

 Growing Si)ontaneously Within loo Miles of Now York City." Torrey Botanical 

 Clul). 



And "Catalogue of Plants Found in New Jersey." N. L. Britton. (Vol ii 

 Part I., Geol- Surv. N. J. (18«9, pp. 25-G42), a fair idea of the botany of the rogioii 

 under discussion may be obtained. 



