THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 149 



was originated by Linnaeus and applied to a form of the 

 common toad-flax {Linaria vulgaris) in which the terminal 

 flowers had five spurs in place of the usual single spur. Asa 

 Gray's definition, therefore, seems correct in that "an irreg- 

 ular flower becomes regular by the monstrous development of 

 complementary irregularities." This is somewhat different 

 from the definition usually given, that a peloric flower is one 

 in which an irreglar flower returns to the regular condition. 

 The peloric toad-flax is regular to be sure, but only by the ad- 

 dition of other irregularities. It is probable that in the be- 

 ginning, the toad-flax lacked spurs and that these developed as 

 the flower became zygomorphic or two-lipped. The flower 

 illustrated by Prof. Nelson, therefore, is not true peloria, 

 though DeVries calls it so in his "Origin of Species and Vari- 

 eties by Mutation," and so does Goebel in his "Organography 

 of Plants." The last mentioned form appears to be a com- 

 bination of several plant abnormalities for each of which 

 there has been coined a separate name. Harshberger, in his 

 "Mycology and Plant Pathology," lists 119 such names. The 

 growth of a new inflorescence from the center of the old one 

 is known as diaphysis. Peloria, or what is commonly called 

 such, is found also in Gloxinia, Tropoeolum, Lamiuin, Salvia, 

 Scrophidaria, Anterrhinnm, and various orchids. DeVries 

 originated a peloric race of the toad-flax which came true 

 from seeds. 



- Cure for Poison Ivy. — I have personal knowledge of 

 the absolute and prompt cure of two severe cases of ivy poi- 

 soning through the use of the dry bark sold by druggists as 

 Peruvian bark. This bark is very generally used for the 

 washing of fabrics, especially black goods, and is also used 

 for the cleansing of the hair and scalp. Shred the bark into 

 small pieces, add boiling water and allow it to stand a while 

 or, as a quick process, allow a few minutes of boiling. Apply 

 with a soft cloth, as hot as can be borne, and as often as 



