51 



is probably due to lessened chances to obtain nutrition, which I 

 have shown in other papers is not favorable to the female or re- 

 productive power. A greater amount of nutrition is spent on 

 the large corolla, which is saved in the smaller female one. 



The Labiatse are well-known for the tendency to abort stamens 

 in many genera and species. The law under which this is accom- 

 plished is still obscure. Whatever that may be as affecting all 

 the individuals of one genus or species, it can scarcely be identi- 

 cal with that which causes gyno-dioecism among individuals of 

 the same species, yet the very fact that similar results appear to 

 come from different agencies, gives the whole question an interest 

 that should attract to it renewed attention. I do not know any 



3 



subject that promises better reward, and one of the aims of this 

 paper is to stimulate observations by botanical students. 



Thomas Meehan. 



Notes on the Flora of the Palisades of the Hudson. 



Frequent visits to the Palisades, extending through an entire 

 season, enable me to report the following plants as growing with- 

 in a distance of three miles northward from Englewood, which I 

 have never met with on the opposite side of the river in New 

 York City, where I have long been closely familiar with the flora : 



Cerastium arvense, L. Common along the top of the Pali- 

 sades. It flowers in May, in some places adorning the brink of 

 the cliffs with a fringe of white bloom. It occurs on Manhattan 



Island near High Bridge. 



Impatiens atirea, Muhl. Flowering opposite Riverdale on 

 August 1 8, 1878, and near Englewood, September 17, 1887. 

 Has been reported from further down the river. 



Anwrpha fruticosa, L. A group of plants on the shore op- 

 posite Mt St Vincent; flowering June 2 J, 1888. Has been re- 



ported from near Tarrytown. 



Desmodinm cuspidattim (Muhl), Hook. Woods at the top of 



the Palisades opposite Riverdale (in fruit September 18, 1887), 



and two sterile plants near the shore a mile above. 



Phaseoliis polystachus (L.), B. S. P. Found at two places 



on rocky wooded slopes across from Spuyten Duyvil. It grows 



luxuriantly, but seems to be mostly sterile, although some full 



