188 



Lagenostovia and Neuroptcris ; among the Calamites we have 

 -StcplianospcnjiiiDi ; and among the Lepidodendraceae we have 

 the seed-hke fructifications named Lcpidociirpoti by Professor 

 Scott. Sufficient proof, it seems to me, that we had in the Paleo- 

 zoic a great plexus of plants of a type transitional between the 

 Pteridophyta and the Spermatophyta, from some of which the 

 gymnosperms took their origin. 



SHORTER NOTES 



Some Introduced Plants in Cuba. — It is well known that 

 one of the most common methods for the distribution of weeds 

 and various other plants from one locality to another is by means 

 of seeds carried in food stuffs, bedding for animals, etc. 



Recently while I was passing through the stable-yard of the 

 Cuban Experiment Station, I discovered several plants of the 

 common dandelion (^Taraxacum Taraxacum). Following this 

 discovery, in an investigation of the immediate vicinity, several 

 •other plants common to New York and other parts of the United 

 States were found. Of the plants examined, numbering forty or 

 fifty, some species were well represented, and with the exception 

 of those growing in the coral-rock driveway, all were of recent 

 •growth, though normal in size. Inquiring at the stable as to the 

 kinds of fodder used, I was shown several large sacks of oats, in 

 which after a brief examination, many varieties of seeds, achcncs 

 and some dried fruits of common weeds were obtained. In for- 

 mer times large quantities of baled hay were used and this was 

 scattered on the ground among the horses during the noon hour. 



The folhnving identified plants undoubtedly owe their occur- 

 ence to seeds that have either fallen directly from the hay to the 

 ground, or perhaps more frequently have germinated from the 

 ■excrement of the stock. 



Lcpitiiuin Virginicum L. Plantago major L. 



Trifoliuin re pens L. Plantago Rugelii Decne. 



Trifolium pratense L. Plantago lanceolata L. 



Trifolinm hybrid nni L. Taraxacum Taraxacum (L.) Karst. 



Sonclius olcraccus L. 



Pekcv Wilson. 



