4l6 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [December 



the genus and of W. filifera, the first formal and satisfactory description 

 of either genus or species. 



* w 



CONFUSION RESPECTING THE SPECIES 



From what has now been stated it will be understood that con- 

 fusion might readily arise as to the identity of these two species. 



from 



mis 



glass; and the indigenous source of each was either 

 or misrepresented. Added to this is the undoubted fact that soon 

 after the publication of the second species, certain dishonest dealers 

 were accustomed to fill orders for either from the same draw^er, the 

 only difference being in the price. Moreover, in recent years, through 

 honest misunderstanding, the seeds supplied to the market as "true 

 W, robusta^^ belong in reality to an undescribed species. Naturally 

 the product of these falsely named seeds adds to the confusion. It 

 happens, therefore, that neither of the palms known in California 

 as W. filijera and W. rohnsfa bears its true name. 



A clue in these difficulties w^ould be found could we ascertain 

 exactly what was Wendland^s W. -filijera^ but this seems impossible. 

 The only practical course is to accept as representing this species 

 certain mature trees growing in the Riviera, which are recognized 

 by European authorities as authentic specimens of Wendland^s two 

 palms. They are distinguished by a character which does not appear 

 in either of the original descriptions, and one too marked, it w^ould 

 seem^ to have been overlooked. Yet in the native groves of the 

 desert, where it is to be seen, it has been overlooked by the many 



While not entirely 



em 



,position 



standing of the genus. 



my 



key to washingtonia 



Petiole acuminately prolonged in the blade. 

 Blade abundantly filiferous. 



Margins of the petiole unarmed near the blade i. W, filifera. 



Margins of the petiole armed throughout ; . , . la. W. filifera robusta. 



. . Margins armed only near the base i&. W, filijera micros perma. 



Blade destitute of filaments or nearly so 2. IF. gracilis. 



Petiole obtuse at junction with the blade 5. W. sonorae. 



