Semi-Centemiial Volume. 85 



Botanical Notes, 1917-1918. 



Frank U. G. Agrelius. 



As late as October 22, 1917, we observed the following plants in bloom 

 at what is an unusual date: 



Diervillo fiorida Sieb. & Zucc. (Wcigela rosea of the garden). 



Viola pedata Linn. 



Spiraea trilobata Linn. (Spira'a Van Houttei of the catalogues). 



The ordinary dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Weber, did not bloom 

 and produce seed during every winter month this season, as it did the 

 winter of 1916-'17. We observed certain facts in connection with this 

 bothersome pest during the summers of 1916 and 1917, in the Rocky 

 Mountains. Here in Kansas it is more or less vexatious. In Colorado it 

 is a serious mischiefmaker in some places, especially in the higher 

 meadows of the alpine region. Where the farmers have previously been 

 able to secure a considerable amount of hay or pasturage, there is prac- 

 tically nothing but dandelions. It is the "English sparrow" of the plant 

 kingdom. And its end is not yet. 



POLYCOTYLEDONY OF ANGIOSPERMS. 



For some time we have been interested in noting the presence of three 

 cotyledons in certain young plants or seedlings. We found this to be 

 true occasionally in the tomato, especially in some varieties. We marked 

 these plants, intending to observe them later, and to determine whether 

 this characteristic would show any sign of being hereditary. Through 

 oversight and accident we lost these specimens. We have observed none 

 in some tomato seedlings this spring. A former student last year ob- 

 served this phenomenon in some bean seedlings. Notwithstanding sev- 

 eral untoward events, he succeeded in growing one pod to maturity and 

 has promised me the seeds for testing this year. We hope to have some 

 further data on this later. 



Kansas State Normal School, Emporia. 



The Common Rocks and Gem Stones of Kansas, and How to 



Recognize Them. 



M. M. Schmidt. 



This paper is not written for the professional mineralogist, but for 

 the everyday student and layman who has not the time nor the means to 

 delve deep into the technical study of the large variety and classes of 

 rocks and gem stones that come to his sight, and yet would like to have 

 some rule or guide whereby he could name and recognize the abundance 

 God has planted in the earth's crust or exposed to his view. There is no 

 one, however disinterested he may be, who has not at some time won- 

 dered what some fine colored specimen was that chanced to come to his 

 sight. Rocks fascinate most of us. I can remember quite distinctly 

 when a small boy, I strolled through our pasture and picked up the 

 many beautiful specimens of colored stones and wondered what their 



