1896. ] Briefer Articles. 35 
first year; the following year they were abundant and large; the third 
year they were very abundant and smaller; the fourth year other veg- 
etation began to choke them out. Insect or fungus enemies may have 
aided in subduing them, but there are no observations confirming this 
The accompanying map indicates the localities in which prickly let- 
tuce has been found, so far as known to the writer at the present time, 
October 30, 1895. The circles represent localities from which speci- 
mens have been examined. The crosses represent reports of localities 
Not yet confirmed by specimens. 
_This note is published for the sake of obtaining further informa- 
tion about the distribution of the plant; therefore, botanists and others 
Whose attention may be called to it are specially requested to forward 
to the writer information regarding other localities where it has been 
found, or where it has been introduced and afterward exterminated.— 
Lyster H. Dewey, Washington, D. C. 
A curious coincidence.—The leaves of several India rubber plants 
(Ficus elastica), growing inthe Massachusetts Agricultural College 
greenhouses, are considerably disfigured by the attacks of Leffostro- 
mella elastica Ellis. This fungus produces large, ashy grey, dark-bord- 
ered spots on the leaves, of a definite and usually oval or elongated 
form. On these light colored areas the perithecia break out in mi- 
hute black dots. The effect is very noticeable on the dark green leaves 
and would seem to be most characteristic and unmistakable. When 
