98 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 



the innermost scarcely exceeding the vaginula, with a broad subvasjinal base and a 

 Ungulate, very obtuse apex. Intlorescence monoecious, male tlower on a short stalk. ^ 



A Moss Np:w to thk Unitp:d States. — Fildtrirlnun (uuJuldt.niii, Beauv., a West 

 Indian moss, occurs, in a small collection of plants made recently near Fort Reid, on 

 the upper St. Johns, Florida, by Miss E. S. Boyd. The siiecimens, though scant)', are 

 in fruit. The moss has a general resemblance to small specimens of Nectera peitatu, 

 but tlie leaves are very inequilateral, and strongly nerved more than halfway; and the 

 l)ericha4ial leaves, are peculiar, tlie lowei' ones ovate-acuminate with squarrose tips, 

 and the upper ones narrowly linear, very slender, and overtopping the capsule. With 

 it were also Pilolvichum ryiidifoliiuii, Sull., Lniciihriinm lutiius, Thuid/um tawdrisci- 

 iiii/ii,a large steyila Eix-side/iH, anil the '.'ed Louisiana lichen, ('hiodcrtun ruhro-rinctna, 

 Nylauder. — D.^^niel C. Eaton, New Haven, March 3!), ISTT. 



Botanical Contribi'tions by Asa Gray, Pror. Amer. Acad., Vol. 12. Ben'/nher, 

 1876. — This contribution to North American Botany is one full of interest. The list of 

 new species is large and principally western, though there is quite a representation 

 from the south. The panii)hlet also contains two tine plates, one of ArcUiineeini C'ali- 

 fornirain, Torr., and the other of a new genus anil species ('iinlii/n. randiihu Parry. 

 Then follows a description of the new genus dedicated by Dr. Parry to Mr. Wm. M. 

 Canby and a reconstruction of the very rare genus Arctoinecim, Torr. These genera 

 belong to the (n-der Papai^eraceLe and are both very peculiar in the persistency of the 

 corolla. The new genus was discovered in S. E. California by a botanical party, con- 

 sisting of Doctors Palmer and Parry and Mr. Lenimon, May 18, 1876. The new species 

 are supplied Ijy various parties. Rev. E. L. Ureene, T. S. Brandegee, Dr. Parry, Dr. 

 Rothrock, and Powell's Expedition of 1875, being the principal contributors. Of course 

 the numbers of the Axtniijuli are increased in this case by an addition of seven species 

 and two varieties. The proportions this genus is beginning to assume as our western 

 territory is becoming nioi'c thoroughly explored is something startling. A new Le)<- 

 pe,dez:i is described, having been founii in .Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa. 



The relations of Cletlira and Pyrola are considered and rather than break up the 

 ori>iiual ErUaiwiM into seperate orders, as has been done by DeCandolle and otiier 

 European botanists. Dr. Gray combines Clef/) n( and the tribe /\(//v;/f/e into the third 

 sub-order, Pyroliucd'. The sei'tion Steiroiiniut, Raf. (jf Ly.^iiitucliin is restored to generic 

 rank and hence the species of N. United States are as follows: 

 Stfiii'i'ineiii'i. riliafuiii, (^v.^Lf/xiinnrli iii rilintn, L. 

 ,S. rtidicd/is Gr.^/y. rddicdn.s, I look. 

 .s'. Id./iccdldtddi, Gr.=/y. la/ici'olatd, Walt. 

 S. loiif/ifoliui/i, Gr.= /y. l(nnjt'f(din, Pursh. 



The genus AvcZfjj/a.v and its allies are rearranged in the following genera ; P'/^/o.s- 

 //y////(^Ell., Aiiaiitlnri.i\ Nutt.(>^ "i of Ari'rdfe.'< in (Cray's Man., 5lh Ed.), Agvlepiodoni. Gr. 

 (containing Ari'i-aU'.'< pii/i.inilnfd, Decaisne.), A.srlepid.s, L., Arrnifes^EU., /<chiz<iaotUf<, Gr. 

 (containing OdiuplKK-drpns purpni'dxrciis, (xray, Bot. C-alif,), and (ronip/nirdrpuii, R. Br. 

 A key is also given to the North American species of the genus Axrlfpids. Dr. Gray 

 also gives a conspectus of the confused and difficult genus (ri>)udtd)ax, Michx., with the 

 sections Dirf!/(d.idin.^, Edfioindohnx and ('ht]idiiialid. the last being reduced from generic 

 rank.— J. M. ('. 



On Exckkscenoes axd ExcKxrurc Wood Growths ix tuk 'I'kinks ok Trees. — 

 This is the subject of a cominuuication of Mr. Thomas Meehan to the Academy of Nat- 

 ural Sciences of Philadelphia, December U), 1876, and appears in the Proceedings, 

 Part III, of that year. The strange excrescences found in so many of (mr trees have 

 often been the causes of no small curiosity in regard to the cause of their formation. 

 Till very lately these monstrous growths have been referred to in.sects as their origin. 

 Mr. ]\Ieehan calls attention to the fact that these excrescences were often of a uniform 



