BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



inches in height, but branching profusely, with stems varying in 

 size from 1-16 to 1-1 inch in diameter. The roots exhibited little 

 tendency to branch in the downward course, though in some in- 

 tances dividing once or twice. If lateral fibers were developed they 

 had mostly disappeared.— R. T. Morgan, Wheaton, DuPage County. 

 Illinois. 



The Postage on Botanical Specimens— In his new "Flora 



of Washington" Mr. Ward states that "the law forbids the send- 

 ing of labels, of which any part is written, as third-class matter, 

 and it is necessary to give each label a temporary number and put 

 with the specimen a corresponding printed figure (cut out of a cal- 

 endar) and to send the labels hi a letter. * * * A very sensible de- 

 cision was made by Postmaster-General Key that scientific labels, 

 bills of lading, etc'., if they contained nothing irrelevant, might 

 pass with the specimens. ' This raling has since been reversed as 

 not in harmony with the spirit of the law." The writer adds that 

 he "called personally a t the Post-Office Department (Dec. 6. 1881), 

 and was officially assured of the correctness of the statements here- 

 in made 11 (p. 231). 



At the instauce of some of my students, I applied by letter to the 

 Department, April 25, 1882, for"in formation as to the present raling, 

 receiving in reply a printed order, dared Feb. 21. 1831, signed by 

 Postmaster-Genera 1 Maynard. The part relating to botanical speci- 

 mens reads as follows: ''It is ordered that Section 232, Postal Reg- 

 ulations, be revoked, and in lieu thereof the fbl lowing order is made: 

 Mailable matter of the first-class shall embrace all matter wholly 

 or partially in writing, except ' as herein provided. * * * The 

 exceptions' are as' follows: * * 7. Upon matter 



of the fourth-class the sender may write his own name and 

 address preceded by the word 'from,' and also the number and names 

 of the articles enclosed. He may a-so write upon or attach to any 

 ,-nch articles, by tr.g or label. a mark or number, name or letter, for 

 purpose of identification.'" The italicised words, not italicised in the 

 order, were underscored in the copy sent to me. A knowledge of 

 this fact may spare exchanging botanists some annoyance.— Wm. 

 Trelease, Madison, Wis. 



Ferns of Iowa.— Miss Mary E. Wood reports the following 

 ferns collected by her on the Makoqueta River, about fifty miles 

 west of Dubuque, Iowa: 



Asplenwm ft lix-fmnina,A- thelypteroides, A.angustifolium, As- 

 pidium Goldianum, A. Thelypteris, Adiantum pedatum, Campto- 

 sorus rhizophyUus, Cystopteris bulbif&a, C.fragilis, Onoclea sensibi- 

 lis, Osmunda Claytoniana, Phegopieris hexagonoptera, Botrychium 

 tcrnatum, Pellcpa atropurpurce, P. gracilis, P'teris aqnilina, SUu- 

 tli iopteris Genua a ica. 



