14 Muhlenbergia, Volume 6 



des, from dry to comparatively moist conditions, and to every 

 other combination of changed habitat, we will be in a position 

 to begin to say something definite. Such experiments I am 

 preparing to make, and in the meantime in these preliminary 

 studies will thoroughly describe as new, as well as figure, all 

 forms that seem to differ from recognized species sufficiently to 

 deserve a name. Later and better knowledge may cause a re- 

 versal of opinion in some cases. 



As previously mentioned, there are excellent characters in 

 the flowers, but by most writers the flower is hardly mentioned 

 except to give its color when known, and its length. One who 

 has observed lupine flowers in the field can very readily discern 

 the original shape and peculiarities even in the dried state when 

 he carefully dissects it. And those who do not know the genus 

 in the field could do much better with them if they would. 



The size of the flower is fairly constant in most species, and 

 the shape of the parts seems to be uniform, but there is some 

 variability in the toothing of the calyx and the amount of pu- 

 bescence on the keel. 



The expression "calyx spurred" is commonly used in speak- 

 ing of certain species, but in reality the calyx is never spurred. 

 On the contrary it is the claw of the banner that bears the spur, 

 and the calyx being on the outside of this, must necessarily 

 accommodate itself to the shape of whatever is inside of it. The 

 calyx is not affixed to the claw of the banner, but fits over it 

 like a glove, and when carefully peeled off shows the pouch-like 

 depression where the claw fitted into it. 



The fully developed pods, while varying in length even on 

 the same plant, are fairly uniform in width for any given spe- 

 cies. The number of seeds in the pod seems to be pretty uni- 

 form. 



Since- the Nevadan perennial species are as yet imperfectly 

 known, I shall not here attempt a key for all of them, but will 

 arrange them in groups. 



Subgenus II. I j tints. 



Annual or perennial: cotyledons fleshy, distinctly petioled 

 and somewhat persistent in sonic annual species: steins either 



