1908] BRIEFER ARTICLES 147 
the petiole in the leaf blade may not prove a constant character. Through 
the kindness of Dr. B. L. Rosryson, of the Gray Herbarium, I have received 
a few flowers taken from the type specimen of this species, collected by 
Wrti1aM PatMER at Guaymas, Mexico. One of these is represented in 
jig. 5, the anthers being omitted, as all had fallen from the flowers. It 
will be seen that this has the characters assigned to W. filifera so far as the 
filaments are concerned, the character of W. robusta as to the divided tip 
of the stigma, and the markedly lobate ovary of W. gracilis. Such a com- 
bination of characters throws a shadow of uncertainty on their value. It 
Fic. §.—W. sonorae S. Watson. From PALMER’s type, Guaymas, Mexico. X5. 
must be remembered, however, that they are drawn from a study of too 
few individuals. What is now desirable is that the proposed characters, 
both those drawn from the flower and fruit, and from the foliage and habit, 
should be put to the test by the examination of numerous examples, growing 
under varying conditions. Especially is it to be hoped that botanists who 
may have the opportunity should study carefully the groves near Guaymas, 
and those reported to exist on the seacoast of northern Lower California. 
Until such extended studies shall be made it cannot be considered that we 
Stand on altogether firm ground in the discrimination of the various indicated 
Species and varieties of Washingtonia. 
, For the drawings from which jigs. I, 2, and 3 are reproduced I am 
indebted to the kindness of Dr. Brccart. They are enlarged seven 
—— Figs. 4 and 5 are from drawings by Mrs. CHARLOTTE M. 
TLDER, and are enlarged ten diameters. All the drawings are reduced 
one-half in the reproduction.—S. B. PartsH, San Bernardino, California. 
