BRIEFER ARTICLES. 
ZIZIA AUREA AND THASPIUM AUREUM. 
For the past two seasons special observations have been made upon 
these plants. Combined with those of previous years they furnish a 
fair outline of the habits and character of the two as they are found in 
those parts of Illinois and Indiana contiguous to Chicago. A large 
number of specimens were critically examined and compared and 
abundance of field notes made. Although the two plants have fre- 
quently been confounded by collectors, I find few plants so nearly 
allied that are better distinguished specifically, and a little practice 
enables one to tell them from the time the radical leaves attain a fair 
size in the spring. 
The beginning and duration of the flowering season of the two 
plants differ, and still more ‘those of the fruiting season. The ordi- 
nary season of anthesis of Z. aurea in this region is from the middle of 
May to the middle of June, while that of 7. cureum is from the first of : 
June up to near the middle of July, usually lasting two or three weeks 
longer than in the case of Z. aurea. The remarkably early spring of 
1896, due to the summer heat of April, brought both plants forward 
considerably earlier, and the terminal umbel of the stem of Z. aurea 
was beginning to bloom by April 30. By the rath of May the 
plants were in full fower. At the latter date all examples of 7: aureum 
that were found were in bud. When next examined on the 23d of 
May they had come into flower, but the anthesis was principally con- 
fined to the first umbel. The fruit of Z. aurea begins to ripen during 
the first half of July, and by the last of August has about all fallen 
_ from the dead stems of the plant. I have found it clinging to the 
carpophore as late as September 7, but the connection was so fragile 
that the slightest disturbance dislodged it. The mericarps of 7: aureum 
_ are well advanced by the first of August, and in an early season like the 
___ last some will be ripe by the last of the month, but the ordinary time 
a E ie is September, and nearly all of the carpels are found adher- 
— -1897] . ea 
