AND GENERA OF PLANTS. 303 
Ozs.—AsTER gracilis is a true Aster, nearly allied, indeed, to A. surculo- 
sus and A. spectabilis. The receptacle is naked, the achenium nearly smooth, 
with five strie, scarcely, however, compressed; the pappus, pale brown, is sca- 
brous, but not thickened. The floral rays are long and blue; the involucrum 
at length somewhat squarrose. 
HELEASTRUM, (notwithstanding the slight difference of pappus,) ought, I 
think, to be reunited with Aster. The achenium is quite similar to that of 
Aster gracilis, to which section, and A. surculosus, it evidently belongs. 
Biotia. We have but two well marked species. Of B. corymbosa I have 
seen two varieties, which insensibly lose themselves in each other, on an ex- 
tensive comparison, in nature as well as in the herbarium. The B. commixta 
is the corymbosa, when grown in dry or rocky situations; in moist grounds the 
heart-shaped leaves are best developed. The lowest leaves in B. commizta are 
also cordate. 
The B. glomerata appears to be a species, though it approaches B. commiézta. 
In the herbarium of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia it is 
marked by Mr. Schweinitz under the name of Aster thyrsoideus, and was ob- 
tained near Bethlehem, in Pennsylvania. It is distinguished by the shortness 
of the rays and the brevity of the pappus. 
GALATELLA. (Cassini.) 
§ *CatanTHus.—Liguli in one series, styliferous, elongated; discal’ florets 
tubular, five-toothed, hermaphrodite. Receptacle naked, flat, and punc- 
tate. Involucrum short, imbricated, sepals unequal, herbaceous, narrow 
and acute, in about three series. Stigmas exserted, clavate, pubescent, in 
the ray filiform. Achenium obovate, subcylindric, smooth and glandular, 
with seven to eight strong strie, or ribs; pappus copious, slightly scabrous.— 
Perennial plants of wet marshes, more or less scabrous; leaves entire, lanceo- 
late, crowded, glandular punctate; corymb of few flowers, the branchlets 
almost naked, like peduncles and squamose, the scales gradually passing into 
those which compose the very regular involucrum. Rays lilac or reddish.— 
Nearly allied, in habit to Diplopappus linariefolius, less so to Aster, from 
