268 



show the same regularity in their autumn blossoming. Well 

 developed blossoms of Aqiiilegia Cafiadensis were found near 

 North Attleboro, Massachusetts, during the first weeks of Octo- 

 ber. Geranium maciilaUim was found at the same locality in 

 September and August. Corydalis sempervirens appears more 

 regularly near North Attleboro, Massachusetts, with thickened 

 leaves, the petioles and stems almost succulent, and greenish, 

 poorly developed flowers, of which a few occasionally reach their 

 normal development. Autumnal blossoming is no new botanical 

 feature, yet it seems worth while to place these notes on record 

 in order that eventually it may be determined what plants are 

 thus affected by our Indian summer, to what extent, and with 

 what regularity. 



Aug. F. Foerste. 



Fig. I. Leaf with a few small leaves and three roots as its base. 

 Fig. 2. Leaf with three roots and a number of smallleaves at its base, from 

 among which a branch has developed. 



Fig. 3. Leaf at base of flowering racemes. 

 Fig. 4. Ordinary and usually emersed leaf. 



Remarks upon Color as a Distinguishing Feature of Certain 



Species of Plants.* 



By Joseph F. James. 



In considering the various points used in characterizing spe- 

 cies of animals and plants, there is no one feature regarded as of 

 less value and importance than color. The color of the epider- 

 mis and of the nacre of some species of Unio, is very uncertain. 

 The colors of the black bass vary with its surroundings. Birds 

 change their plumage and animals their pelage in winter so that 

 it is different from what it is in summer. In the plant world 

 occasional variations fiom the normal occur, so that white lobel- 

 ias instead of blue, or white- flowered red clovers are not un- 

 common. But color in certain other and mostly small genera, 

 is an important and frequently almost the sole distinction, cer- 

 tainly the one most easily perceived and recognized. As in- 

 stances of this I shall cite a few examples. 



In the district covered by Grav's Manual there are three spe- 



*Read before the Botanical Club A. A. A. S., at the Toronto Meeting, Aug. 

 29-Sept. 3, 1889. 



