ASTER FIMBRIATUS 151 
Differs from A. erectus in lacking the dense-bunched inflores- 
cence of that species. 
— Occasional fimbriation of rays probably may occur in any 
ally of A. divaricatus L., and I have actually observed it in the fol- 
lowing, though in none is the tendency to its development strong 
or continuous : 
A. divaricatus L. typical ; obolarian form; mixed-leaf form; prune-stem form ; 
axilliferous form ; and in many inconclusive variant forms. A. divaricatus cymulosus, 
a few plants. 
A. persaliens, jagged-leaf form, in many plants. 
A. erectus, more often. 
A. fragrans, often. 
A. fenebrosus, a few plants. 
In the above, fimbriation seems to occur sporadically ; in A. 
Jimbriatus as a settled habit. The first plants of A. fimbriatus 
noticed, grew around the edge of a temporary pond which dries 
away every year in July and leaves a black-muck bottom. Some 
of the next plants observed grew about the margin of another 
similar adjoining pond. At first it seemed that there might be 
some connection between fimbriation and growth along standing 
water; especially in view of a tendency to slit-margins among 
leaves on depressed stems of related species (4. tenebrosus, A. 
gremialis, A, nobilis) when sometimes growing in mucky pockets 
holding standing water. Subsequently I discovered scores of 
plants of A. fimbriatus growing, not closely adjoining water, but 
on piles of stones or wooded slopes. I was forced to abandon the 
hypothesis of a habitat necessarily located at the edge of standing 
water. The conclusion which remains applicable to all specimens 
is that they show a marked preference for moist rich shade. 
I searched in vain to find indications of abnormal conditions 
which might promote fimbriation, or any insect- or fungus-attack, 
or any unhealthiness of the plant. 
Heads of A. fimbriatus are apt to be all in flower at once. But 
in the few heads in which it could be determined, fimbriation had 
already begun in the bud; and I have found rays slit to the very 
base while yet in the bud, z. ¢., while involutely involved and erect. 
Comparing the same group of plants year after year, I have 
found the fimbriation and the leaf-characters repeated without 
intermission for nine years 1896-1904.  Fimbriation increased 
