^8 UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI STUDIES [220 



tion, to generic rank. Obviously it transcends the bounds of a 

 local flora to settle vexed questions of nomenclature; it is be- 

 lieved, however, that since the synonyms are given, no ser- 

 ious inconvenience will follow from the method used, and on 

 the whole the result is a terminology that mediates between the 

 old and the new. 



The most striking feature of the flora is the large number 

 of grasses, legumes and composites and on the other hand the 

 almost complete absence of Coniferae, Orchidaceae, Ericaceae, 

 and Gentianaceae. The beech, too, is lacking, and the scarlet oak, 

 Quercus coccinea Wang. There are 95 species of trees and ar- 

 borescent plants, and 55 species of shrubs, undershrubs, and 

 vines, thus making a total of 150 species of ligneous plants. 

 There are 113 species of true grasses, and 156 species of com- 

 posites. There are also 7i species of Cyperaceae, and 63 species 

 of Leguminosae. The large number of species of these families 

 indicates a large prairie element in the flora — an element larger 

 than the fades of the vegetation seemingly warrants. 



The economic importance of the native flora has not been 

 considered. This flora numbers among its members many tim- 

 ber trees of the first importance, many plants valuable for their 

 edible fruits and nuts, or for their medicinal properties, and 

 many choice ornamental and flowering plants. Many species al- 

 ready verge upon extinction, and immediate steps should be 

 taken for their preservation. 



