1888. | BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 67 
S. rubellum Wiis. is reduced to a variety of S. acutifolium; 8. Muel- 
leri =S. molle: S. Mendocinum =8. cuspidatum; S. sedoides = 8. Py- 
lesii. S. strictum Lindb. becomes S. Girgensohnii Russ.; and S. interme- 
dium Hoffm. is changed to S. recurvum Beauv. with doubtful propriety. 
-§. eyclophyllum is considered as probably an immature form of 8. subse- 
cundum. 3S. macrophyllum var. Floridanum is raisel to the rank of a 
species, S. Floridanum Card. While it isa good variety, we can not see 
that it has any well grounded claim to specific rank. To these changes, 
with the two exceptions noted, our studies incline us to accede. 
M. Cardot greatly desires to receive specimens of Sphagna from our 
bryologists, in order to make his work more complete, and we hope our 
collectors will not forget him in their exchanges. His address is Stenay, 
Meuse, France. 
American Charace2. 
Botanists are beginning to understand that their best work is done 
by confining their attention to a single subject or asingle group. Select- 
ing some genus or order that has been neglected—and very few have not 
been neglected —they give it an exhaustive study, and the result is a bet- 
ter understanding of the group than has ever before been attained. It 
18 in this way only that we can expect to build up modern botany. Ina 
work’ that lies before us the author is to be commended for his selection 
of a very much neglected group, and congratulated upon the very com- 
plete and careful way in which he has gone about to “ work it up.” This 
first part is but introductory, laying that foundation of knowledge which 
is necessary for an intelligent study of the group. The second part, 
promised in a year or two, will contain descriptions (with illustrations) 
of the species now known to inhabit American waters. The introduc- 
ton contains directions for collecting, with the habitats and proper con- 
dition of the plant. The interesting observation is made upon Chara 
fragilis that it is universal, “found in every country and clime, in ice- 
water at the north and in the hot springs (boiling water) of the Yellow- 
stone.” An historical account of the group is given, followed by the dis- 
cussion of germination, development of the cortex, stipules, leaves, 
harniae organs of fructification, development of the spore, all fully illus- 
ated. 
ces began, as it ae 
almost comparable to the birth of the Linnean system.” Braun's “ #rag- 
ee ee 
* ALLEN, TiMoTHY FIELD.—The Characew of America, Part I, containing the we 904 
gh morphol 64 pp., 55 figures, large 8vo. New York: amas 
¥ the author, 1888,—$1.00, 
