254 Floral Calendar of Plainjield, <J/-c. 



trinerve bifid, with a soft ciliated awl in the notch, as long as 

 the valve : the small valve is ovate acute concave, very hairy 

 on the back. The colour of the flower is reddish or pale 

 red ; but variable. 



Observations. This plant is probably the aira purpurea of 

 Walter, Pursh, Elliott, &.e. but does not belong to that genus. 

 It was found in Carolina, but I have found it on Long-Island, 

 near Gravesend, Bath, Oyster-Bay, &c. on the sandy and 

 gravelly sea-shore : it grows probably in the intermediate 

 states. It blossoms in August and September, has no particu- 

 lar beauty, but a very singular appearance. The specific 

 name of purpurea was improper, since the colour of the 

 flowers is variable from whitish to red. 



Art. IX. Floral Calendar, ^c^ 



To the Editor of the American Journal of Science^ ^c. 



Plainfield, October 17, 1818. 

 Sir, 



I^HOULD the following calendar be thought worthy of a 

 place in your Journal, you will please to insert it. Though 

 very brief, it will show that vegetation is considerably later on 

 the range of mountains, on which this place is situated, than 

 in the level parts of our country. 



Yours truly, 



J. PORTER. 



Floral Calendar for Plainjield, Massachusetts, 1818. By Jacob 

 Porter. 



March 13. Robins and bluebirds appear. 



April 2b. Claytonia in flower. A considerable part of the 

 ground is covered with snow, which, in many places, is 2 or 5 

 feet deep. 



