56 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



have been collected manj- species new to the State, but of frequent occurrence on the 

 coast of Virginia and southward, evidently from seeds carried by birds in their flight 

 coastwise. The importation of grass seed from the west and south has brougli t us many 

 plants not before met with, and it is highly probable instances of the reverse order may 

 have occurred. A few years a,go JRitdbeckia hirta was almost unknown in E;istern Penn- 

 sylvania, though very common throughout the Western States. Now it is to be tound 

 on every farm, giving at a distance a golden hue, in strange contrast with the silvery 

 ■whiteness oi the Leucanihemuin mdgnre, now excessively abundant in all our meadows 

 a id grass fields. 



The large flocks of sheep brought to the Eastern market have been great distributors 

 of those seeds which readily adhere to the wool. I have frequently been shown, in some 

 of our city gardens, plants which have been grown from seeds sent as curiosities from 

 distant localities by absent friends, or gathered as relics of visits to far away places. 

 Even botanists themselves have, perhaps inadvertently, done something in this way. 

 A few years ago I received In exchange a package ot plants from Michigan, whioli I 

 was compelled to allow to remain upon my table for some time before I could get them 

 in their proper place in my herbarium. Fragments, which had become detached in 

 transportation, were all permitted to remain until the whole transfer was complete, 

 when the sweepings from the table, containing many seeds which had fallen werocare- 

 tuljy planted, with the satisfaction, in due time, ot duplicating some of my specimens. 



The arrival, at the various seaport towns on the coast, of ships with ballast from 

 dittierent parts of the world, has probably done the greatest work in this introduction 

 and distribution, and it is one which will continue so long as our country can furnish 

 material to satisfy the wants of other nations. At the port of Philadelphia tliis has been 

 on a gradual increa.se lor several years, and, as a natural consequence, many plants 

 have collected which probably have not been found elsewhere in the United States. 

 Aubrey 11. Smith put)li,-,hed in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of 

 Philadelphia, February, 1867, an ai tide "On Colonies of Plants Observed near Phila- 

 delphia," tiie list appended embracing 106 species, most of which were collected where 

 ballast had been deposited. The list was coaiplete, »f) far as known at that time, but it 

 is not at all unlikely the number has fully doubled smce. Many species are to be found 

 year after year, often in increasing numbers, and are therefore entitled to a place in the 

 flora of our country. In fact, all tJiat occur, 'M' have occurred, tliough it be but for a 

 single season, should. I think, be so placed upon record, for without doubt mimy of the 

 large number of plants in Gray's Manual which have 'Eu." appended have been intro 

 duced in this and similar ways, and we may reasonably expect t» find, in a few years, 

 some of these more recent arrivals going forth, ably sustaining themselves against wind 

 and weather, to the delight, possibly to the amazement, of some future student of na- 

 ture. Several species have been collected this year tliat have not appeared heretof re, 

 and many of former years have not been seen thus far the present season. I will adl a 

 a few that have been collected, mostly this year, in order to show what has occ^urred in 

 the vicinity of Philadelphia, and which may now be occuriug at other places on the 

 coast. And I desire to call the attention of botanists to these deposits of ballast as the 

 opening of a field at once new and interesting, and which promises good results to the 

 attentive investigator. 



Eanunnihifi philoiintis, Ehrh. One plant only, dilTering from R. hiilbosus, L., in hav- 

 ing minute tubercles on the carpels. 



Sisi/mbrium Soplii't, Linn. Quite abundant. Has occurred for several years. 



Shymhrhmi Iri(\ Linn. Collected one plant a few years ago. 



Ery.siii.nm onerifnh',Br. A very handsome species, not abundant, but collected on 

 several occasions. 



Brassicd temiiftjlia, Boiss., B. iivirnlia, Boiss., B. monennis, Hudson^ have been col. 

 lected for sev Tal years. B. tennifolut is ver}- abundant this season, and seems tf> be 

 spreading into the waste grounds. 



