BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 127 



palet, 3-nerved, liispiil on tlie keel, otherwise slightly scabrous, acute; lower palet linear 

 lanceolate, slightly coraijressed, rather indistinctly 5-nerved, acute, but not awned, min- 

 utely scabrous, somewhat scarious and bronzed at the tip. Oregon. 



This has some resemblance to Eextaca jirate/isis, but has a ilenser panicle, with 

 more numerous branches, and is not nodding but erect. The glumes are also longer, 

 and the palets blunter and thinner. It approaches the section Atropis of Poa., which 

 seems to connect Po<i and Fcatura. — Ueo. Vasey. 

 '^ More About Ballast Plants. — A few days ago I paid ni}' tirst visit of the season 

 to the ballast ground near Philadelphia; some matters of interest were observed, of 

 which I am prompted to make mention. Since the publication of my article some 

 months ago on these new comers, I have received many letters of in(juiry, as to certain 

 plants herein mentioned, and have had a demand for specimens far beyond my ability 

 to furnish, showing a deveIo|jing interest in the matter of introduction and distribution 

 of species. 



Some plants that were very abundant last year I could tind no trace of, but others 

 in theii stead of equal beauty and interest. In the following list will be noticed many 

 species that are occasionally met with in waste grounds around cities and often in neg- 

 lected country places, but it is probable that the specimens collected were from Import- 

 ed seeds: 



Itanunculus hulhosus, h., and Ji. repe/n^, L., both quite abundant; the former pre- 

 sents no variation from its usual condition, but the latter is the typical form: jjrostrate, 

 very huiiy, and sending out long runners, exhibiting the same characters as specimens 

 from Europe now in my herbarium. There is, however, a plant growing along the 

 shores of the Delaware River near Philadelphia, that I have been familiar with for the 

 last twenty years, and have never seen it produce a runner of any kind, or show any 

 disposition that way. It is upright in habit, often very smooth, with leaves three times 

 the size of those on the ballast plant. Prof. Gra}', to whom 1 sent a specimen last year, 

 writes me, that it is one of the many forms he has had to refer to R. repeiis, L. When 

 I have examined some of our Gompositce and been sorely puzzled to know what species 

 they w^ere on account of their close resemblance one to another, and have rememliered 

 this lianiULciilm with its many variations, and so strikingly different in habit, appear- 

 ance, &c., I have asked myself the question, what is a species, and what are characters 

 on which species and varieties are based? 



Eryn)num chelnuithoides, Br., has sparingly occurred in former years, ])ut I found 

 only one specimen. 



Three species of Diplotn.rin are quite common, munilu, Boiss., monensis, Hudson, 

 and tenuifoliit, Boiss. The last seems to be fast gaining a foothold. 



ThlaKpi arceiise. L., one specimen collected. It has occasionally been found in for- 

 mer years. 



fjainelina s/Uioa, Crantz, is quite plentiful, some of the specimens more than two 

 feet in height. This species occurs frequently in grain fields and on roadsides, but 

 usually not of such luxuriant growth. 



Lepldinm ruderale, L., is very abundant. Two specimens of Lepidium campestre, 

 L., were collected. I have seen this occasionally on roadsides in the vicinity of Phila- 

 delphia, but it is rarely met with. 



Seruibiera mroaopus^ UC, and »S'. didi/ma, Pers., are both abundant. 



Sui/9iihriu)ii SopMd, L., not so i)\Gnt\t\i] as in former years. 



liesedd Lute(d((, L., is becoming quite common. 



Sileiie infl((ta, Sm., and <S'. nortlptni^ L., are as abundant as I have ever seen them. 



Hilene diehotoiiui., Ehrh., one i)lant only was seen. This is the first time it has been 

 found here. 



