23 



and spores. The unimportance of these characters, unless very 

 marked, is quite generally recognized by workers on this group 

 and has been frequently emphasized. An instance is afforded by 

 a series of measurements of asci and spores of R. pulveracea 

 from the various exsiccati. In these Mr. Ellis found a varia- 

 tion from 60-70/;- x 8-10// in asci and from 6-8/; x 5-6// to 

 10-12// x 7-9 1 J - in spores. My measurements of the same 

 species show a variation . from 70 x 7 // to 90 x 13// in asci ; 

 from 10 x y (J- to 15 X 10// in spores. For R. ovalis, Ellis's 

 measurements, as seen above, are 60-65// x 6// for asci; 

 8-12//. x 5-7/-* for spores. I find asci as large as 85 x 7//, 

 spores 10-12// x 6-7 fi. From a comparison of these figures 

 it may be seen that on the basis of asci and spores we cannot 

 even approximate a separation of the two species. It is my be- 

 lief that Rosellinia ovalis (Ell.) is, at most, but a variety of R. 

 pulveracea (Ehr.). 



It should be noted that Saccardo attributes this species to New 

 Jersey, whereas, it has so far been reported only from Utah. 

 Misled by the statement " on sage-brush " he doubtfully refers 

 to the host as Salvia. 



Botanical Department, Cornell University. 



NEWS ITEMS 



The sixth annual winter meeting of the Vermont Botanical Club 

 was held in Burlington, on January 25th and 26th. Fourteen 

 papers were presented. 



" The Gamophyllous, a monthly magazine devoted to plant life 

 in field, forest and garden," is the title of a recently established 

 periodical. It is edited and published by Mr. Harry A. Bird 

 of Plainfield, New Jersey. 



An interesting paper entitled "An Ecological Study of the New 

 Jersey Strand Flora," by Dr. John W. Harshberger was issued 

 on December 31, 1900. It is extracted from the Proceedings of 

 the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 



Dr. David Griffiths, who received his advanced degree from 



