BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 163 



a robust species and appears to have been originally described by 

 Muller from a depauperate form. The pedicel is obsoletely scabrous. 



Notes from Michigan. — The underground stems of Poa pratensis do 

 often penetrate and sometimes grow entirely through the tubers of 

 potatoes. I saw a number of such cases last year. The thing is so 

 common I never considered it worth recording. As Prof. Beal sug- 

 gests, quick-grass may, in some instances, have been spread by this 

 means. 



Quercns bkolor, common on the banks of Maple and Grand liivers, 

 often produces abortive acorns in the axils of the cup scales, as has 

 been recorded of Q. priitoides. W'illd. It would be interesting to know 

 if all the Chestnut Oaks do the same — Erwin F. S.mitii. 



Correction. — In connection with the note on Panicnm Hiorale, Va- 

 sey, in the last number of the Gazette, it shouki have been stn'od 

 that the note from Gen. Munro was sent by Dr. Vasey for publication. 



Recent Publications — Catakxjuc of the ''Davenport Herbariiim" of 

 North American Ferns, by Geo. E. Davenport. — Th's Catalogue has 

 just made its appearance and is certainly well done. The Davenport 

 Herbarium contains specimens of every authentic species of Ferns in 

 North America north of Me.xico, so that a catalogue of it is nothing 

 else than a complete catalogue of the Ferns of North America. The 

 type is large and clear and the names stand out well on the page, 

 making as complete and convenient a check list as a botanist could 

 well desire. The catalogue contains 32 genera, 142 species, and 16 

 varieties Mr. Davenport is sparing in his use of varieties, very wise- 

 ly deeming it not necessary to admit to such rank every slight devi- 

 ation. The geographical distribution is based upon Mr. John H. Red- 

 field's paper upon that subject in the Torrey Club Bulletin for Jan., 

 1875. Six geographical divisions are thus recognized, the names of 

 which are sufficiently clear without definition, viz : Cosmopolitan, 

 Boreal, Appalachian, Pacific, New Mexican, and Tropical. Prof. D. 

 C. Eaton is followed in nomenclature. Mr. Davenport desires to add 

 to the herbarium the remaining vascular cryptogams of the United 

 States, and solicits specimens for that purpose. The Catalogue is 

 well vv-orth the patronage of all botanists, and published as it is at 

 the author's expense, it is but simple justice for all to help bear the 

 expense of that which is to benefit all. We hope therefore that bot- 

 anists will send promptly to Mr. Davenport for copies, which can be 

 had for 50 cents, by addressing him at Medford, Mass. 



Proceedings of tlie Acad. Nat. Sci. of Philadelphia. Part III, Sept., 



