160 



The character of some of the many unsolved botanical prob- 

 lems which confront us can perhaps be illustrated best by the 

 following set of questions. * These are submitted with the as- 

 surance that answers to most of them have never yet been at- 

 tempted, although they should present no great difficulties. 

 Members of the Club who can suggest answers, or other ques- 

 tions of similar nature, are urged to do so. 



What proportion of our local flora (or of the flora of any par- 

 ticular region or habitat) consists of trees ? shrubs ? vines ? ever- 

 greens ? parasites ? annuals ? biennials ? anemophilous species ? 

 conifers ? monocotyledons ? grasses ? sedges ? Rosaceae ? Legu- 

 minosae ? Umbelliferae ? Ericaceae ? Compositae ? 



In what habitat or habitats is each of the above groups (or any 

 other large group of plants) most prominent ? 



To what families and habitats do most of the plants belong 

 that bloom in spring? summer? fall? What is the first spring 

 flower in each habitat ? 



Why are some species common and some rare ? Do the 

 common and rare ones tend to belong to any particular habitats 

 or taxonomic groups ? 



Do closely related species (not merely congeneric, but so close 

 that no others come between) ever have the same range or 

 habitat, or both ? If so, do they ever grow close together ? Give 

 examples, if possible. 



In what families and genera do natural hybrids occur ? 



Are two modes of dissemination ever found in the same genus ? 

 Give examples. 



In what families, genera, and habitats do we find plants that 

 perform sleep movements ? Plants with fleshy or barbed fruits ? 

 With blue or red or odorous flowers ? Carnivorous plants ? 



What weeds prefer roadsides ? pastures ? vacant lots ? culti- 

 vated fields ? abandoned fields ? barnyards ? burned areas ? 

 recent clearings ? What proportion of annuals, biennials, and 

 perennials in each habitat ? 



* Editor's note. — Here is abundant material for field work in our high schools, 

 normal schools, and colleges. The questions will also prove suggestive f»r work 

 during the long vacations which most teachers consider difficult to plan. 



