MEMOIRS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 5 
mera, that, in my opinion, really deserves generic rank is Drymocallis. The first two 
may, perhaps, have some, although very slight, claim to such rank; the others, none 
whatever. Drymocallis was based upon P. rubricaulis Jordan, an unpublished species. 
Tourreau gives asa synonym, “D. rupestris L. ex parte.” I have also found another ref- 
erence which states that P. rubricaulis Jordan is a form of P. rupestris. Drymocallis, 
therefore, represents the group of plants which would have borne the name Bootia Bigel., 
‘f that had not been antedated, 7. ¢., P. arguta and its allies. 
In 1829, Bunge! established the genus Chamaerhodos on those species of Sibbaldia 
that have a basal style and lack bractlets, whose leaflets are once or twice ternately 
divided and whose 5 stamens are antipetalous. 
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION. 
Potentilla (in the broader sense) and Fragaria are distributed throughout the colder 
temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, extending far into arctic regions. Although 
less common, they are also found in alpine and high mountain regions of the tropics 
and South America. P. areserinoides is a native of New Zealand. Sibbaldia and Coma- 
rum grow in the arctic and Ider regions of the northern hemisphere, but the former is 
also found on the alpine peaks of Europe, Asia and North America. Chamaerhodos is 
mainly Siberian, but (. erecta also grows in northwestern America. Horkelia (inelad- 
ing Ivesia) is confined to the western part of North America. Duchesnea is native of 
Southern Asia, but is introduced into North America. 
ECONOMIC VALUE. 
The economic value of the plants of the tribe is not very great. Several species of 
Potentilla ave more or less good pasture plants, and a few furnish honey. The root of P. 
Anserina serves as an article of food to the natives of Siberia and on the Scottish islands 
Tiree and Coll. he fleshy receptacle of the species of Fragaria (the “ strawberry ”’) is 
relished by people of all nations as well as by animals. ‘The dried leaves of P. fruticosa 
are used in Siberia as a substitute for tea. The roots of P. argentea, P. Tormentilla and 
Comarum palustre are used for tanning and dyeing red. The root of P. erecta (Radix 
‘Tormentillae) is used as a powerful astringent medicine. In old time strawberries were 
used as a medicine for gout and other diseases. 
1Tn Ledeb. Fl. Alt. 1: 429. 1829. 
