1895.] Current Literature, 553 
in the western part of the state, in fact, its eastern limit reaches the 
center of the state. The “sand hills” change their configuration con- 
stantly, and where not held by roots the sand is gradually carried 
away by the wind, often transforming bared spots into “blowouts.” 
There are four notable “blowout” grasses, which serve to give such 
stability as there is to the shifting sands, viz: Calamovilfa longifolia, 
Redfieldia flexuosa, Eragrostis tenuts, and Muhlenbergia pungens, In 
addition to these species, Mr. Rydberg gives a list of about twenty- 
five others most characteristic. The survey was practically confined 
to two counties in the heart of the sand hills. The catalogue of spe- 
cies collected is a long one, and contains many interesting notes and 
critical remarks. There are also descriptions of new varieties, and a 
new species of Carduus is illustrated by a plate. 
The economic possibilities of the region are also considered, and in 
Mr. Rydberg’s judgment the only agricultural hope for this region, as 
well as the neighboring regions which it helps keep dry, is a covering 
of forest vegetation, which he believes may be possible. 
Minor Notices. 
Votume II of the Proceedings of the lowa Academy of Sciences 
covering the meeting in 1894 is the first to be published by the state, 
and it makes a most creditable showing. It contains 225 pages and 
22 plates, well printed and in convenient form. The matter is inter- 
esting and valuable. It includes seven papers upon botanical sub- 
jects: Effects of heat on the germination of corn and smut, F. c. 
Stewart; Distribution of some weeds in the United States, L. H. Pam- 
mel; Structure of the seed-coats of Polygonacee, Emma Sirrine; Lich- 
ens collected by Dr. C. C. Parry in Wisconsin and Minnesota in 1848, 
B. Fink; Pollination of cucurbits, L. H. Pammel and Alice, M. Beach; 
and Diseases of plants at Ames, 1894, L. H. Pammel. 
‘Sicilians peep che tresses lie lease REPT Tee . * 
2 Rypgerc, P. A.—Flora of the sand hills of Nebraska. Contributions from 
the U. S. Nat. Herbarium. 3: 133-203- 14 S. 1895. 
