BOTAXICAL GAZETTE. 93 



nual layers, so fine that a lens is necessary io tlistinguish tliem, is similar in sliape, 

 with round-lieaded top. 



Now all observeis admit tliat the California Big Trees, with their vast straight 

 fluted columns, 200 to 300 feet high, and their immense ei'owns of finely divided, 

 evergreen branch ;s, are tlie most symmetrical and magnificent in form, ^he tallest 

 and actually tlie largest in dimensions of any yet known in all the world. [low 

 satisfying to the pride of a true American, to reflect upon the inference derived 

 from this comparatively new fact— formerly a most unwelcome one to the thought- 

 less, insomuch that loyal Californians prove their loyalty by declaring their belief 

 in the great age of the Big Trees; hence the warfare to which Dr. Gray refers, and 

 the great but pardonable assistance given to the erring side by eminent writers 

 through their praiseworthy love of country. 



But science always searches for the truth. Sooner or later the facts will come 

 to be believed and they are always best. And the truth, in this case so long re- 

 pressed, is riiost welcome because it gives foundation tor the most reasonable and 

 enthusiastic loyalty. Why, these grand giant trees are mere vigorous saplings 

 yet, only 1,200 to 1,500 years old ! Ages hence full-grown trees may be seen 50 feet 

 in diameter and 1,000 feet high, only limited by the proximity of brother trees and 

 the depth of the valleys where found. We can't expect them to be so uuneighbor- 

 ly as to choke their brothers to death, nor to rise above the leveling winds that 

 sweep over the canons of the Sierra. So let the old world pride itself upon old 

 things, old nations, old creeds, old arts, old customs, old monuments; we of Amer- 

 ca rejoice that this is a new, unfinished world, with young yet colossal vegetable 

 growths, strange yet beautiful animal forms, modern yet matchless peoples, ado- 

 lescent yet full-fruit-bearing institutions, unprecedented yet unimaginable des- 

 tinies! 



'For btill the new t'anscends the ohl, 

 In deeds and wonders manifold." 



Gray's Floua of North America. — All the botanists will accept with sincere 

 thankfulness this beginning of the new "Flora."' A beginning at the middle, in- 

 deed, yet not a "beginning of the end ;" but so that the work be done the order of 

 its doing may well be left to his choice who is looked upon with one accord as the 

 only one competent for its proper performance. If a preference might be express- 

 ed in regard to it. it would doubtless be that Dr. Gray would see fit to give next a 

 revision of what is by far the most intricate and difficult of all the orders of our 

 flora, viz : the Compositce. No portion of the proposed volumes is more needed by 

 botanists or will be more acceptable, and in none is Dr. Gray more truly the sole 

 authority. As he has recently gone over a considerable portion of the ground in 

 his work for the "Botany of California,'" this would be all the easier for him. 



In looking over the present issue, some peculiarities of arrangement at once 

 attract attention. There are no artificial keys either to genera or species. Under 

 each order the ordinal character is followed by a synopsis of the genera, with con- 

 cise but essentially complete characters, grouped togetlier not only by sub-orders 

 or tribes (where such exist), but also by minor subdivisions, and under character- 

 istic headings, thus avoiding repetition, and leading most directly to the genus 

 sought. When the genus itself is taken up, only such other details, general re- 

 marks and synonomy are given as may be needed to fully supplement the previous 

 description. A comparison with the published volumes of "Torrey and Gray's 

 Flora" will make the improvement of plan manifest, and show the appropriate- 

 ness of the title which Dr. Gray has adopted. The same synoptical method, how- 

 ever, is not carried out in the treatment of species, though the.y are similarly 

 grouped under common headings so far as they have essential characters in com- 

 mon. The specific descriptions themselves are full, but without redundancy or 



