252 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [ October, 
the same ground and “strike it rich.” But it is also well understood that 
the average professional geologist very much underrates the practical 
experience and “signs ” of the prospector, and vice versa. If each would 
condescend to grasp and use the knowledge of the other in conjunction 
with his own, then better results would be obtained and mutual respec 
would exist between geologists and prospectors, which it can not be said 
to do to-day 
And although Iam sure the abundance or sparsity of Eriogonum 
ovalifolium is no sign as to the presence or the absence of silver or other 
metal in the soil (for it grows in any formation, lime, sandstone, etc.), I 
would not presume to say the same of other “indicating plants,” indi- 
vidually unknown to me.—F. W. ANDERSON, Great Falls, Montana. 
Some western plants.—In examining some western collections re- 
cently, an interesting fact or two with respect to the range of certain 
plants has been brought to light. Phlox Richardsonii Hook., of the Arctie 
sea-coast, was found by Mr. F. W. Anderson, in May of this year, growing 
in great abundance upon Mt. Helena, Montana. It had previously been 
discovered by Scribner in the Belt Mountains, Montana. Mr.W. M. Canby’s 
corps, on their northern transcontinental survey, discovered a form of 
Trautvetteria palmata, and now it turns up from Idaho, collected by J. B. 
Leiberg. Pentstemon Lyallii Gray, of British Columbia, and extending 
into the borders of Montana, has been sent in by Mr. J. B. Leiberg from 
Kootenai county, Idaho, growing on rocky banks, 3,000 to 6,000 feet alti- 
tude.—Joun M. CoutrTer. 
EDITORIAL. 
A FEW writers are inclined to scatter their thoughts before the pub- 
lic with a too lavish hand. Facts of interest secured in an investigation 
are arranged to be presentable and ushered into the presence of the pub- 
lic through the medium of some society or journal. Without adding 
materially to the number of facts the language with which they sph 
clothed is readjusted and another society or journal receives them. This 
shifting may be repeated several times, and the facts turn up in various 
places. Fach time the reader, if not on his guard, will naturally suppose 
he 's perusing the first and only statement of the kind, there being noth- 
ing to indicate that the author has already published other versions® 
the same matter. We do not have in mind the case where a paper “3 
before a society is printed in a magazine to secure earlier publication, a 
teference being made to the time and place of its first presentation; 
credit being given; or the case where an author writes up 4 
