THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 33 



there, the type is pronounced and nearly unchanging. It is in 

 less important details, as stem or leaves, habit of growth and 

 height that time and surroundings have effected a modifica- 

 tion. 



Africa is the special home of the heath plants, not neces- 

 sarily Ericas or Calliuias but their natural relatives. The Cape 

 region is particularly full of them but in the mountains of 

 Uganda they assume an arborescent form and beauty. Here, 

 too, are tree-like groundsels, and cinerarias. Those of the 

 Ruwenzori are yellow, but there are whole fields of the re- 

 lated Emilias, purple or lavender in color. 



Space does not permit anything like an exhaustive account 

 of the many plants described or figured in these volumes, like 

 the splendid Spothodea or the huge Euphorbias. The country 

 is a paradise of color in plants and birds. Yet, strange to say, 

 the author tells us that it is all lost on, at least some tribes of 

 natives. They appear color-blind, or at least indifferent to 

 its charms which is, to be sure, another thing. 



In the eden-like lower country, so that the picture may 

 present a reverse, is found the puff-adder, graphically figured 

 as "death." Its bite is absolutely fatal in an hour or less. 

 In consideration of such a creature, we are confirmed in our 

 belief that for us, arm-chair travel is the most desirable. 



Brozcii University, Providence, R. I. 



CONCERNING WILLOWS. 



BY FRANK DOBBIN. 



IN taking a stroll in the country, especially if it lead near a 

 stream, one cannot fail to note the number and variety of 

 our native willows; varying all the way from a shrub three or 

 four feet in height to a tree seventy or eighty feet high with a 

 bole sometimes three feet or more in diameter. Of wide distri- 

 bution, the willow may be found from the forests of Florida 



