136 



A. 



usually three observed. Some grains, like many kinds of mint 

 pollen, are flat, that is, somewhat flax-seed shaped. In Monarda 



Jistu/osa, for cK^mple, the grains are 55-56/^x64-67// when 



viewed flatwise, and each grain is traversed by three folds, mak- 

 ing the fjrain resemble a miniature muskmelon. When water is 



ia '■"^ fc» 



added the grain changes its shape with surprising rapidity, the 

 longer diameter becomes the shorter and the shorter the longer, 

 with little variation In the original figures. Dry pollen has the 

 outer coat uniform, while in the wet grains there may be broad 

 belts or lines of a different exterior. The pores are not usually 

 so evident in the dry pollen as when they are wet. It is more 



difficult to get a satisfactory measurement of a dry grain, as it 



may be partly collapsed or the light so broken that no distinct 



outline is seen. 



It seems evident that the full and perfect measurement of a 

 pollen grain requires that it be taken twice; once w^hen dry, that 

 is, in the condition w^hen ready for passage from dehisced 

 anther to stigma and again when fully swollen by the imbibition 

 of Avat'er, and both figures should be given with the conditions for 



each. 



Rutgers College. Byron D. HalsTED. 



Botanical Notes. 



Notdets, 



ipogon porrifolii 



West Point. N, Y. Hi 



now some ten years in the vicinity of Providence, is spreading 

 slowly In this vicinity, and T have recently learned of its appear- 

 ance at Lebanon, N. Y. Mr. Bennett tells me that Htimulus 

 Japoniciis threatens to be a bad weed hereabouts, Forsythio- 

 suspensa has flowered here, out of doors all winter. 



On Feb. 26th I found a clump of Houstonia ccerulea in fnH 

 flower. This is my earliest recorded date for Providence in 26 

 years. Acer dasycarptim had then been in bloom some days. 



PROVmENCE, R. I. 



w 



Solafium rostrahim was brought to me here last fall gathered 

 near the D, L. & W. R. R. tracks in the village. Bhphiim 

 ciliata has been found by one of my students in a wild place at 

 Binghamton. 



Waverly, N. Y, C. F. MILLSPAUGH. 



