l.: s BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [ Mav, 



OO 



that one could not ascend were it not for the terraces. In 

 most places the side of the bluli is devoid of trees, although 

 often wooded at the summit and further back. 



The flora of the plains has crossed the river and obtained 

 a firm foothold upon this narrow strip of land, not more than 

 a few hundred feet in width. Many of the plants so plenti- 

 ful on the blufls are not found further east, except as strays. 



As examples of this flora I will mention Houstonia angus- 

 tifolia Mx., Yucca angustifolia Pursh., Gaura cocciuea Nutt., 

 Da lea lax if or a Pursh., Oxytropis Lamberti Pursh., and As- 

 tagalus lotiforus Hook., var. brachypus Gr. The last named 

 species has not before been recorded for the state. It was 

 kindly determined for me by Dr. Sereno Watson. 



Two aquatic plants of a more southern range, and both 

 new to Iowa, were found in this most interesting region. 

 Heieranthera limosa Vahl. and Echinodorus rostratus Eng. 



At Sioux City we find a more typical prairie region. 

 Frees are scarce, except on the low land near the river. The 

 flora here is quite as interesting as at Hamburg, and several 

 •• rinds" were made. ' 



Early one morning I started out to conquer the Sioux City 

 flora. Being in a conquering mood my first duty was to 

 climb to the top of a steep and arid bluff which looked as if 

 it might bear some hidden treasure to reward the first comer 

 who should dare to scale its lofty heights, and indeed I was 

 rewarded for my labor by finding two plants new to the state, 

 Linum rigidum Pursh. of the plains, and Stifa cantata Trin. 

 of the Rocky Mt. region. I have Dr. Vasey to thank for the 

 latter name. Aplopappus sp' ' ' ----- 



rosa Duval, and Lialn's punctata Hook., were also found 

 here. 



Having espied a promising sandbar in the distance I de- 

 scended to the river. I had not tramped over the sand very 

 far before I noticed, here and there, some trees with shining 

 leaves. Thinking they were willows I prudently passed bv 

 on the other side. But finally I was brought face to face 

 with one of the little trees and found it covered with small 

 red berries. My willow was Shepherdia argcntea Nutt. 

 Vot supposing it to be thorny I began boldly to capture spec- 

 imens. I was quickly brought to grief, however, for although 

 it has no true thorns, yet its sharp and stunted branchlets act 

 just as defensively. This species has not been reported be- 

 fore, and undoubtedly wandered down the river from the 

 northwest, where it abounds. 



