BOT.-Voi.. II.] PURD y— CALOCHORTUS. II I 



botanists to allow such a name to stand for the present, 

 especially as a more extensive knowledge of the subject 

 may result in still further changes. The pressing need is 

 for a work containing descriptions of all known species of 

 Calochorti, together with such grouping as will readily con- 

 vey to the student the relationship of the various species. 



In the "Botany of California," the types of the species 

 known to Watson are usually very accurately described. 

 The only criticism to be made is that in many instances he 

 was acquainted with but a few representatives of the species. 

 Nineteen years have added much to our knowledge of the 

 range of the various forms of Calochorti, but it is still far 

 from complete. In the notes on distribution of species, the 

 range as I have accurate knowledge of it is given. A 

 species may, and in many cases doubtlessly does, extend 

 over a far wider range than that with which it is credited. 



The measurements of any portion of a plant as given in 

 published descriptions of Calochorti are of little value, and 

 are apt to be misleading. Environment makes the greatest 

 difference in the size of the plants. Take, for instance, 

 those of the woods, such as C. albus, C. pulchellus, and the 

 elegans gYOu^ ; the variations are almost limitless. Especially 

 after a forest fire is growth luxuriant. Plants which under 

 adverse conditions have leaves but a few inches in length, 

 and few-flowered, slender stems, will, under more favorable 

 circumstances, produce great leaves a foot or two long, stout 

 stems eight inches to two feet in height, and a dozen or more 

 fine flowers. Especially do the plants of the Mariposa sec- 

 tion respond prolifically under fertile conditions. If the 

 season be dry, the plants are sparsely scattered and but a 

 few inches above ground; but let the season be one of great 

 rainfall, they fairly hide the ground with tall, many flowered 

 stems upholding numerous large blossoms. But while 

 measurements based upon a series of specimens are almost 

 valueless, proportional measurements of the parts of the 

 same flower are often of great importance, the proportions 

 between the parts being usually the same whatever the size 

 of the flowers. 



