Field and Forest 



A MONTHLY JOURNAL 



DEVOTED TO THE NATURAL SCIENCES. 



Vol. III.— APRIL, MAY and JUNE, 1878.— Nos. 10, n and 12 



A Season's Botanizing. 



Every botanist knows that the botanical season of 1878 was very 

 early in its beginning, somewhat backward during May, and protrac- 

 ted late into the Fall. In the vicinity of Washington the yellow jes- 

 samine, Jasfninum nudifloriim, was in bloom all winter; Acer dasycar- 

 pum was in flower February 15th, and Draba verna about the same 

 time, while the first hard frost did not come till October 29th. The 

 early vegetation, owing to the abundant rains, was luxuriant, and 

 specimens collected were unusually fine. But it is not the object of 

 this article to describe the collecting season in this vicinity, farther 

 than to say that nearly the usual annual number of additions have 

 been made to Flora Columbiana, as more careful search detects the 

 hiding places of rarer species. The list of such species will be found 

 on another page. One of the most interesting discoveries was that of 

 a fine bush of Baccharis halimifolia^ on high ground, far removed 

 from its usual maritime location. 



The first extended trip made by the writer, was in company with 

 Dr. Vasey to Fortress Monroe and Hampton, Virginia, May 30th to 

 June 1st. 



This region naturally divides itself into two sections. The one is 

 composed of sand hills or dunes stretching away two or three miles 

 to the north, and bordering the sea. The other comprises the low 

 and fertile plain extending for miles around Hampton. Over the 

 sand hills extend thi:kets of Quercus virens and cinerea, (a dwarf 



