J 19 



L. complanatum. This accords with E. J. Hill's experience re- 

 lated in the July Torreya. It is quite abundant at Alder Creek 

 also, but not to the same extent as L. complanatum. . The long 

 slender fingers distinguish it easily from the latter species, the 

 digits of which are short, flat and stout. 



SHORTER NOTES 



Spring Foliage in October. — The fall tent-caterpillar, tussock- 

 moth, and other ravenous insects have been particularly abundant 

 this year in the parks of New York City, and the trees in Union 

 and Madison Squares, presented a desolate and denuded appear- 

 ance at the end of August. But during September most of the 

 trees have developed a new set of leaves, so that now, in the be- 

 ginning of October, they have the fresh green beauty of May. 

 There are exceptions here and there, however, for the elms, 

 poplars, catalpas and the thorny locust still retain their old leaves 

 and - shabby aspect, while the maples, lindens, and button-balls 

 make a strong contrast with their fresh green foliage. The Eng- 

 lish elms have not been eaten by insects, the catalpas only 

 occasionally, and the poplars and thorny locusts suffered more 

 from the excessive heat and dryness of June and July, which 

 caused them to lose many of their first leaves. The leaves which 

 have grown since, on the extremities of the branches, are larger 

 and more vigorous and still remain, when all the rest are fallen. — 

 E. G. Britton. 



Field Days of the Torrey Botanical Club. — During the 

 summer months, weekly excursions have been made by mem- 

 bers of the Torrey Botanical Club to interesting localities in the 

 vicinity of New York City. In order to keep in closer touch 

 with the Club, the Botanical Garden has aimed to send on each 

 excursion a member of its staff or an aid, who collected for the 

 local herbarium. 



On the excursion of August 17th, to Grasmere, Staten Island, 

 S. H. Burnham represented the Garden. The following interest- 

 ing plants were found : Blephariglottis ciliaris (L.) Rydb., in moist 

 smilax tangles, in full bloom ; Ptilimninm capillaceum (Mx.) Raf. ; 



