1896. ] Current Literature. 177 
(Jan. 15th) as vol. 3, no. 6, of the “Contributions from the U. S. Na- 
tional Herbarium.” An interesting field report is presented by Mr. 
Funston, which well points out the peculiarities of the region. Mr. 
Coville, Chief of the Division, makes the botanical report, which con- 
sists of a catalogue of the 137 vascular species and varieties, and 27 
bryophytes, with habitats and critical notes. We regret exceedingly 
{0 note that this government publication has adopted a new family 
homenclature. A certain amount of discussion and agreement may 
be claimed in support of the use of the rules of the Botanical Club, 
but to supplant such names as Cruciferz, Leguminose, Umbelliferz 
and Composite, by Brassicaceze, Fabacee, Ammiaceze and Carduacex 
is the merest pedantry, and is straining after uniformity when uniform- 
ity is not necessary, 
Minnesora BoranicaL Srupies, part 7, contains five papers. (1) 
n the genus Cypripedium with reference to Minnesota species, by 
Henrietta G. Fox, deals with the formally adopted state flower, with 
descriptions and geographical distribution in the state of the six spe- 
cies of the Atlantic region. (2) Poisonous influence of various ve aa 
“es of Cypripedium, by D. T. MacDougal, in which he confirms his 
earlier observation, showing that the poisonous action is due to glan- 
dular hairs. (3) Tree temperatures recorded by Roy W. Squires. (4) 
Some Hepatica: of Minnesota, by John M. Holzinger, is a list of 25 
‘Peciés. (5) A study of some Minnesota Mycetozoa, by E. P. Shel- 
ie Further editorial comment on nos. 1 and 5 will be found on 
171, 
A REPORT on collections made in 1894-95 by the Botanical Survey 
‘ Nebraska, conducted by the Botanical Seminar of the University, 
tas just been issued. It is devoted to descriptions of new fungi and 
2 list of additions to the reported flora of the state. The new species 
a fifty-five and the additions bring the state list up to 3,196 spe- 
Mr. James M. Macoun, Curator of the Herbarium of the Geolog- 
wal Survey of Canada, is publishing a series of contributions from the 
herbarium. Numbers V, VI and VII are before us, reprints from the 
nation Record of Science, and contain additions to the flora, new 
‘ONS, revised nomenclature and critical remarks. 
HE “BOTANICAL SEMINAR” of the University of Nebraska has is- 
d part 2; of its “Flora of Nebraska,” containing the Rosales, by 
Rydberg. The handsome typography, good plates, and full treat- 
: of the other parts continue. The statement of the ire 
wa Soups is full of interest, and careful synonymy blazes the 
Y for those unfamiliar with the new nomenclature. 
Sue 
