66 ERYTHEA. 



tooth. In regard to variation in the calyces the reader is also 

 referred to Mr. Blasdale's note on his Hyampum specimens, in this 

 journal, iv, 188. 



The 4-valved capsules are large and contain numerous seeds, 

 which are about one line long and are very peculiar, having a thick 

 honeycombed coat and a minute kernel, ^ millimeter long. The 

 embryo occupies one end and is about ^ of a millimeter long. It is 

 of oval outline and shows no differentiation whatsoever into caulicle 

 or cotyledons, even under high power of a compound microscope. 



The host plant is usually some species of Manzanita. The host 

 of Bigelow's plants was not reported; Brewer's specimens were taken 

 from Manzanita, as also the Mt. St. Helena plants. The plants of 

 Piper were on Gaultheria Shallon, and those of Mr. Weber were 

 said to have been on Madrone. All the host plants, therefore, are 

 of the Ericaceae. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. ^ 



Plate I. Tubers of Boschniakia strobilacea, Gray, on root,'^ of 



Arhxdus Menziesii. Three of the tubers bear young flowering shoots. 



Plate II. Spike in full anthesis with a young lateral s])ike at base. 



REVIEWS AND CRITICISMS. 



A Flora of Northwest America. Containing brief descriptions of all 

 the known indigenous and, naturalized plants growing without 

 cultivation north of California, west of Utah and south of British 

 Columbia. By Thomas Howell. Vol. I, Fascicle 1. Port- 

 land, Oregon, March 15, 1897. 50c. 



This fascicle is the first part of a pioneer botany. The title 

 "Flora of Northwest America," is not one to give a clear idea of 

 the region included, nor is the sub-title altogether definite, since 

 neither Oregon, Washington nor Idaho (which the Flora covers), 

 is "west of Utah." A title which named these states might have 

 been in a small degree cumbersome, but there are some things better 

 than brevity. However, a title is no such great matter, perhaps, 

 and, in any event, the users of this new flora will give it no less wel- 

 come on this account, for it is first-comer in all that extensive 

 country. 



