1G9 



Calandrinia oppositifolia. (Bot. Mag. Tab. 7051). 



Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Ferns of Kansas. — Ber- 

 nard B. Smyth. (Bull. Washburn Coll. Lab. Nat. Hist. ii. 

 43-61). 



This is undoubtedly a conscientious effort to compile as com - 

 plete a local catalogue as possible, and the large number of emi- 

 nent botanists who are stated to have assisted in the work cer- 

 tamly should give to it an air of authority. The author modestly 

 prefaces his work with the statement that he " is only a student 

 of botany, and, while striving to make the list as correct as pos- 

 sible, is conscious of many imperfections. As to nomenclature 

 and authority, he simply adopts those names which are by com- 

 mon authority said to be correct ones. He is opposed to changes 

 of name in a plant, and prefers a name long-established and well- 

 known, to a name, which, though more correct, is nnknozvn* A 

 few exceptions are made, presumably for good cause, notably 

 Hicoriaior Carya" ! ! Such a preface naturally leads one to 

 expect a spirit of conservatism throughout, but we are confronted 

 at the very beginning by the heading " Dialypetalous Exogens," 

 as the first division of the Anthophyta, although when summing 

 up he becomes conservative and calls the plants under this head- 

 ing Polypetalous exogens. The ignoring of capitals in specific 

 names, where their use is simply a question of good or bad gram- 

 mar, is consistently carried out. Certainly, however, where the 

 rules of grammar and " common authority " unite it seems 

 curious that we should see cai'oliniana, virginiana, parryi, etc. 



Hicoj 



Nymph 



Another heading which is somewhat startling is " Petaliferous 

 Endogens" in contradistinction to " Glumiferous Endogens." 

 Under the former heading we find Arisccma, Lilium, etc., whose 

 spathe and perianth are made to do duty as petals for the time 

 ^'ng. This catalogue essays to be more than a mere list of 

 P ants, however, as it is also a price Hst, giving the money value 

 of such species as the author is prepared to furnish, and from it 

 "»any curious facts may be learned. Thus Helianthus annuus is 

 ^"Pparently worth 25 cents, (7//^//^/^?^/////// album 15 cents, /W7- 

 Sonum Pcrsicaria 15 cents, etc., from which wc conclude that 



" A he Italics are our own. 



