48 
Birch (Betula lutea) near Bolton, Vermont. On a subsequent 
trip to Brooklyn and examination of Sweet Birches affected with 
the canker in Prospect Park, as well as some of the dried speci- 
mens belonging to the writer, Dr. Spaulding said that he believed 
the Yellow Birches were affected with the same trouble. 
Systematic Botany 
Frankeniaceac. By ALFRED GUNDERSEN 
During 1926 I have continued studies of the structure of flow- 
ers as related to the general classification of dicotyledons. I 
have given special attention to the Frankeniaceae, a small family 
of widely distributed subtropical plants of both hemispheres 
The striking resemblance of the pinks (Dianthus) to the Fran- 
kenias was recognized by the earlier botanists: Linnaeus, Jussieu, 
DeCandolle, Bentham and Hooker. In the Engler system, how- 
ever, the Pink Family was moved near the Goosefoot Family, 
doubtless also a natural connection. Thus it came to be widely 
separated from the Frankeniaceae. A recognition of the natural 
relationship of Pinks and Frankenia would involve important 
changes in the grouping of dicotyledons. It would necessitate 
the moving of the families of Goosefoot Amaranth, Purslane, 
Pink and others to a position more advanced than the Fran- 
keniaceae; and a rearrangement of Engler’s sequence of these 
families would be required. Preliminary results were presented 
before the Torrey Botanical Club in February. On my European 
trip I have continued these studies and have obtained numerous 
specimens of the Frankeniaceae. 
Ecology and Plant Geography 
By NorMaANn TAYLOR 
Vegetation of Long Island 
While field work had to be restricted because of lack of funds, 
active work on this project was continued at the Garden. Studies 
of soil fertility, humus accumulation, and hydrogen-ion concen- 
tration carried on during the year indicate that there is a definite 
relation between the stage of succession of the vegetation and the 
