Miscellaneous. 175 



as possible to the light, as is done by those of the compass plant in 

 a different way, and that it was therefore probable that the sto- 

 mata would be found to be as numerous on the upper face of the 

 leaf as on the lower. A microscopic examination proved the cor- 

 rectness of Mr. Ravenel's conjecture ; the stomata are about equally 

 numerous on the two faces. "Whether the leaves take a vertical 

 position because the stomata occupy both surfaces, or whether the 

 stomata are so -distributed because the leaves stand edgewise to the 

 zenith, is a question. The fact is, that the two are thus correlated, 

 and such correlation is ordinarily essential to the well-being of the 

 plant. It may be remarked, however, that the stomata do not 

 manifestly appear until the leaf is pretty well developed, also 

 that this distribution of the stomata is peculiar to the species in 

 question ; at least the leaves of B. austrcdis and B. hucantha, 

 which retain their horizontal position, are provided with stomata 

 only on their lower face. The question next arises whether B. 

 perfoliata really differs in its normal phyllotaxis from its congeners. 

 We find that it does not, that in B. austr-alis, leucantha, and alba, 

 and in B. j^erfoliata likewise (these being all the species at present 

 cultivated in the Cambridge ]3otauic Garden), the arrangement of 

 the leaves at the base of the main stem is of the tristichous order, 

 but that after the first or second cycle, especially on the branches, 

 this changes to the distichous order. The difference between B. 

 perfoliata and its congeners, therefore, is not in the normal ar- 

 rangement of the leaves, but in the fusion of the axis and the dis- 

 tribution of the stomata, adapting the foliage to its vertical position. 

 The form of the leaves in Baptisia perfoliata is remarkably pecu- 

 liar. Most of the species have trifoliate leaves and a pair of sti- 

 pules; this has to all appearance a simple and entire perfoliate leaf 

 and no stipules. It is, however, a natural supposition that the 

 apparently simple leaf consists either of a pair of stipules, or of 

 such stipules and a leaflet connate into a rounded disk. This sup- 

 position Mr. Ravenel has just now had the good fortune to verify, 

 by finding some abnormal shoots of B. perfoliata, one of which is in 

 our possession. Most of its leaves are cordate-clasping rather than 

 perfoliate, and with or without a refuse or emarginate apex, some 

 almost two-parted so as to represent pretty obviously a pair of sti- 

 pules, and one of like conformation but with an obvious terminal 

 leaflet in the sinus ! Mr. Eavenel remarks that this is a manifest 

 step toward his own B. stipulacea ; but it hardly invalidates that 

 species, although the inflorescence and legume of the two are quite 

 alike. — Prof. Asa Gray in SiUiman''s American Journal, Dec. 1871. 



On a new Micrometric Goniometer Eyepiece for the Microscope. 



By J. P. SOUTHWORTH. 



After a few experiments by Dr. H. T. Porter and myself, we 

 have succeeded in making an eyepiece micrometer and goniometer 

 which equal in accuracy and surpass in simplicity and cheapness 

 any we have seen ; and we have used those of some of the best 

 makers in this country. The objection to the eyepiece micrometers 

 in use is the want of boldness in the division-lines, which makes 



