8 JOURNAL OF THE ARNOLD ARBORETUM [vol. iv. 



belongs to A T . sylvatica Marshall. It is no doubt identical with N. montana 

 hort. ex Pursh cited in Index Kewensis, but not with N. montana Gaertner 

 which is referred to N. ogeche. 



32. Nyssa aquatica is apparently the Nyssa biflora Walter of Michaux's 

 Flora (n. 259). 



33. Nyssa dentata is probably referable to N. aquatica L. which has more 

 often dentate leaves than any of the other species. The name does not 

 appear in Index Kewensis. 



34. Nyssa tomentosa is apparently not the A 7 , fomcntosa of Michaux's 

 Flora which is N. aquatica Marshall, but the N. candicans of Mi- 

 chaux's Flora (n. 259) which is the same as N. tomentosa Poiret and the 

 N. ogeche Marshall. In both places, under A r . tomentosa in the Journal and 

 under N. candicans in the Flora the word "Ogechee" appears and in the 

 description the words "foliis . . . incanis" in one place and "foliis . . . 

 subcandicanticantibus " in the other indicate the identity. 



THE RED RIVER FOREST AT FULTON, ARKANSAS 



Ernest J. Palmer 



In the course of botanical explorations conducted by the Arnold Ar- 

 boretum in the southern and southwestern states several localities have 

 been found so remarkable for the richness and variety of their ligneous 

 flora as to appear worthy of brief description. These silvan centers or 

 natural arboretums, as they may almost be termed, usually occur, as 



aces 



drainage, light and other ecological conditions prevail within narrow 

 limits. In addition to affording unusual opportunities for the observation 

 and collection of a variety of trees and shrubs, some of them comparatively 

 rare or growing beyond the limits of their generally recognized range, such 

 localities are of especial interest as compact fields for the study of natural 

 forest conditions in their various phases and for the evidence they furnish 

 or suggest regarding certain changes that have occurred or are in pro- 

 gress in the composition and distribution of the plants of our forest flora. 

 About great trees and ancient forests there is something sublime and 

 inspiring that appeals to all fine natures. In the silence and shadows of 

 the great woods one instinctively feels a sense of tranquillity and seclusion 

 from the busy world. There is a suggestion too of permanence and sta- 

 bility and quiet dignity. These values for us are real, but if we probe 

 a little deeper we soon discover that the apparent inactivity is illusionary 

 and but the result of a slower change than in the world of animate 

 life. For here too is unceasing struggle and progress. Could we read 

 the history of the forest in all its details it might be almost as replete 

 with dramatic interest as any account of human events. There would be 

 records of the rise and fall of dynasties, of long campaigns, conquests, 



