eer “4 cea? 
*. 
with some Notices of Amerian Diatoma. —- ‘21 
lected by American botanists, (but one species, D. floeculosum, 
being credited to our Flora, ) I have made sketches of 7 spe- 
cies, which occur abundantly about West Point. 
T have found abundantly in this vicinity, Diatoma jacentensii 
Fig. 12, Plate 2, ‘another species, D. tenue, having the articu- 
lations six to eight times as long as the diameter, Fig. 13, Plate 2, 
Diatoma crystallinum? Fig. 14, Plate 2; Fragillaria pectinalis, 
Fig. 15, Plate 2, and Merilion vernale? ‘of Agardh, Fig. 16, 
Plate 2. My specimens of the latter, found in Washington’s valley, 
agree precisely with specimens sent to Dr. Torrey, by Dr. Binders, 
and tTharked M. vernale, Agardh, but Agardh’s description, does 
not suit them well. Perhaps this may be the M. circulare of 
Agardh. 
I have also fone: adhering to specimens of Abies collecéd 
near Providence, by my friend D. C. Cushing, a great quantity 
of Meloseira nummuloides, Azardh. This is another species of 
the tribe Diatome. It appears then, that this tribe is quite abun- 
dant in this country, and a monograph of the phonies occurring | in 
the United States, ismuch to be desired. 
-In* connection with the above, the following éxtiarte a 
Meyen’s Report of the Progress of Vegetable Physiology,* during 
the year 1836, will prove interesting. I met with it several weeks 
after I made the observations above noticed.. 
* Mohl confesses, that after many years’ observation he- still remains 
quite in doubt as to the place which the Bacillaria should occupy ;. thi 
however their i increasing by separation, oe: not justify us in -cle 
them as animals. & 
“T may also mention that Link. Briger = Morren, have of lat 
——- that these doubtful. creatures which are kncwh abd nee 
@, ought to be arranged | with vegetables ; according to this, 
ace Would remain no other botanist, with the exception of Corda, that 
had paid any considerable attention to vegetable EET who did not 
consider the Bacillaria to be’plants. 
“From this we may judge of the contradictions on this wabject which 
are found in the reports edited by Wiegmann and myself, on the progress 
of mology 2 aed pasnclogiee botany for he yeah, 1835,7—as these crea- 
* Wiegmann ’s Archiv o far Naburgeschichte, 4837, _— iii. © Translated in Lond. 
381. 
Wo. XXXV No. 1 °° “16 
