BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. iv 
was equally distinguished by its brilliant colors and cultivated style 
of growth. Of other plants affecting such locations we may men- 
tion Spraguea umbellata Torr., Cheenactis Douglasii Hook., Euna- 
nus Fremontii DC., and, more singular in its associations with 
neglected fields and gardens, Brunella vulgaris L. and Serophularia 
Another peculiar plant of this district is that characterized by 
Dr. Torrey in Hayden’s Report as a new genus of Lobeliacex, 
viz: Porterella carnulosa Torr. By some inadvertence the syno- 
nym of the original plant, described in Botany of Beechey’s Voyage, 
page 362, under the name Lobelia carnosula H. and A, was quoted 
as Lobelia carnulosa H. and A., and the changed name adopted 
for the typical species of this seicited genus. It is still doubtful 
whether the distinguishing characters are sufficient to entitle this 
plant to generic rank as distinct from Lobelia. The localities in 
which it was invariably found were recently exsiccated pond-holes 
in open grassy valleys, which it adorned profusely with its deli- 
eate blue flowers; it was here quite constantly associated with 
Nasturtium curvisiliqua Nutt. 
While searching in similar localities near the falls of the Yel- 
lowstone for fruiting specimens of the latter plant, my attention 
was directed to a dense subaquatic growth, occupying the basin 
of a shallow muddy pond. This proved to be Jsoetes, which Dr. 
Engelmann, who has assiduously studied this difficult genus, has 
characterized under the name of Jsoetes Bolanderi var. Parryi. 
(See Appendix, No. 307.) The numerous additions to this genus, 
lately made under the inspiring influence of Dr. Engelmann’s 
researches, show how largely dependent is the introductory work 
of the botanical collector on the supplementary labors of the 
herbarium botanist. 
On the elevated grassy slopes, which at different points afford 
an agreeable relief to the uniform forest growth, we invariably 
encounter a well marked subalpine flora in the prevalence of such 
attractive forms as the following, namely: Caltha leptosepala 
Oxytropis nana Nutt.? Astragalus Kentrophyta Gray, Bu- 
pleurium ranunculoides L., Aster pulchellus DC. Eaton, Erigeron 
ursinum DC. Eaton, Aplopappus suffruticosus Gray, and Senecio 
amplectens Gray. At lower elevations the same open character 
of country, agreeably set off with copses of Abies grandis Lindl., 
afford a still larger number of interesting forms, including Rites 
