28 BOTANICAL BULLETIN. 



My collection contains at least fifteen thousand specimens, and, though I have 

 used the above formula for five years, I have yet to find the first trace of insect or 

 larval injury in my herbarium. — Dr. J. T. Rothrock. 



Damiana. — In a recent number of the Botanical Bulletin I introduced an 

 old plant, Bigelovia veneta, Gray, under the new name of Damiana. I then and 

 there expressed my conviction that its vaunted medical powers would not stand 

 the test of time. To tliese statements 1 still adhere. Since the publication of that 

 note I have received from H. Helmich & Co., of Washino;ton, another Damiana. 

 This is ))robably new to science and reaches us from Western Mexico. Dr. Vasey 

 and Mr. Ward determined it to be a Tnrnera, and the latter furnished a good de- 

 scrii^tion of it under the name of Tnrnera aplirodisiaca. In favor of this plant 

 there are a number of positive statements as to its value, and also some reported 

 failures. Besides these there ai-e two other kinds of Damiana, probablj^ both 

 Turneras and both from Mexico. I do not know of any reliable information upon 

 the medical eft'ects (whether good or bad) of either. It is to be observed however 

 tliat the famil}- of Tiirneraceie is accredited with tonic properties. — J. T. R. 



A MoNSTKH Gkapk Vink. — A few days since while in the woods with a com- 

 panion mj- attention was directed to a vine, which simplj'- looked inmiense; and, 

 as succeeding measurements go to show, would not be an unfit companion for the 

 California Vine of Centennial notoriety. At a distance of 3 to 8 feet above the 

 ground its trunk measured 3(5 inches, at 8 to 16 feet, 32 inches, giving respectively 

 diameters of 12 and IO73 inches. At about the height of sixteen feet it 

 began to l)rancli and of these branches there were nine with a diameter of from 2 

 to 4 inches, and six witii diameters of from 1 to 1 3^ inches. These branches 

 spread towards all points of the compass by seizing the support of many large trees 

 near hy. Comparing the heights of these trees, over which this wonderful vine 

 had thrown its festoon of branchlets, my companion and myself came to the con- 

 clusion that tf this vine were spread out upon the ground it would cover a plot 

 w 1th a diameter of not less than 200 fcpt in all directions. 



Indeed, were it not for the seeming incredibility of the extent of this native 

 monster, I should have said, in estimating the distance of the drooping branchlets 

 that the branch spread in all directions from the main stalk, that it could hardly 

 have fallen sliort of 125 feet. 



Tlie ground ui)on which this vine grows is not rich by any means. Two to 

 three inches upon the top represent the decaying debris of the wood vegetation, 

 while below is a compact and tenacious clay. The vine is located near the edge of 

 the timber. The species is not known to the writer, as when observed it had 

 neither leaves nor fruit, but it is probably 1'. Lahrnsca, L., as that is our common 

 wild grape. However, as T. rordifolia. Mx. and V. ce>>tivaUs, Mx. are both found 

 here, it might be one of these. — A. H. Y. 



DoDECATUKON Meadia, Ij. — Siuce writing the above I liave chanced to examine 

 a most luxuriant growth of the American Cowslip, in which I believe 10,000 sj^eci- 

 mens of this beautiful plant could be procured. The color of the flowers varies 

 from a rich creamy white toil light i»urple. The base of the corolla is generallj^ 

 yellowish and has a fi-inge of i-eddisii brown next the stamens, of which color the 

 base of the stamens partakes more or less. The favorite position of these Cowslips 

 seems to l)e in the water worn crevices of the upper lime-stone clift-rocks. — A. 

 H. Y. 



Some new Musci, hy C. F. Austin. -i-Dicranum (Campylopus) Rauei, n. sp. — 

 (aule compacte ca'spitoso brevi inferne dense tomentoso-radiculoso erecto, foliis 

 subnitidis eroctis siccitatis leniter. tortilibus e basi lanceolata subulatis eonvoluto- 

 concavis semel tortis margine dorso(iue ad apicem minute serratis, costa mediocri 

 cxcurrente, reti denso minuto sul)obscuro basilari duplo majore parum pellucido 

 angular! paulluluni inflato; inflorescentia dioica? capsula cylindrica erecto-sub- 



