BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 174 



our shelves are too much filled by those that are incomplete. Works 

 upon Polypetalous orders are multiplied; Gamopetalse have less of a 

 showing ; while Apetalie and Monocotyledons are really poverty 

 stricken. For some years hence our systematists in beginning their 

 great works should scrupulously begin with Endogens and write their 

 last volume first. The present volume carries the flora of California 

 not only through Monocotvledons, but through Mosses. No state is 

 so well provided with a botany as California, but it does not follow 

 that all states should follow- her example for it would be a useless 

 expense and multii)lication of books. No other state so well deserves 

 a separate and complete liotany. It naturally includes our whole Pacific 

 const and thus is the flora of a very di^^tinct geographical area. 



As usual the work of the volume has been parcelled out among 

 sj:)ecialists, Mr. Watson bearing the chief burden. Most of the 

 changes in nomenclature have been made and the new species 

 described before the issue of the present volume, being recorded in 

 the |)roceedings of different scientific societies. But this sort of infor- 

 mation is much scattered and the grouping together of the little 

 changes of years gives a proper impression of the amount of work 

 that h'ls been done, and puts it into a usable form. 



We will note some facts and changes that catch the eye in a 

 hasty turning of the leaves, charges that for the most part are original 

 with this volume. 



Polygonum anipliibiuvi, var. temstre becomes P. Mtthlcnhergii. 

 Of the 102 known species of Eri gouvm, 55 have already Ijeen found 

 in California. Two species belong to the South Atlantic States, two 

 to Mexico and the rest of the genus is found between the Mississippi 

 and the Pacific. 



Chcnopodium is made to include Bli/um, and B. ?naritimum of the 

 Manuals is C. rubrum. 



A near relative of Dirca paliistris has at last been found and 

 called D. occideiitalis. Our S) camore is represented in California by 

 P. racctnosa. Several new Euphorbias come from the safe hands of 

 Dr. Engelmann, who also now recognizes as species what ranked be- 

 fore as varieties of Qitcniis lobaia and Q. chrysokpis. These new 

 oaks bear names that repeatedly appear in California botany, viz.; 

 Drs. Brewer and Palmer. Taxacea' apper ns an order distinct from 

 Co/iifene, and Abies is so broken up that for a time we can hardly get 

 our bearings. For Abies Douglasii\<t must say Psettdotsiiga Dot/glasii; 

 Abies Aleuziesii \s Picea Sitch'-.nsis \ while other well known species of 

 Abies ap])ear under the generic name of Tsuga. 



The abundant and well known Piuiis ponderosa of the Rocky 

 Mountains is now only the variety scopiibnnn of the true P. ponderosa. 

 Out of eight Californian Habenarias Mr. Watson names six, and out 

 of the 23 Alliums, 15 must look for their author to the same indefa- 

 tiguable worker. 



The many changes and additions among the Liltacece were fully 

 noted in the Gazette for August, 1878, in a review of Mr. Watson's 

 "Revision of N. A. Liliaceoe." 



