52 
segments, with their rounded or truncate bases, add an inter- 
esting feature. In P. arietina Anderson the leaves are also 
covered with a bloom, but the ao are pointed at both ends 
and pubescent on the low urface. In “ Peter Barr,’”’ which 
bears the name of that fae lover of plants, the leaf-seg- 
ments are linear, unusual among these species ; this is a form of 
P. anomala insignis. 
These two collections, which form an interesting and valuable 
first part of May, while the sturdy peonies burst into bloom as 
the daffodils wane, continuing their go eee show of leaf and 
blossom well toward the month of rose 
GrorcE V. Nasu. 
THE ALLEN COLLECTION OF CHARACEAE 
One of the most notable recent accessions to the herbarium of 
the Garden is the collection of Characeae (brittleworts or stone- 
containing the original materials tom ich Dr. Allen has de- 
scri i 
nee library. Though a physician with a large practice, Dean of 
