66 fIeld and forest. 



lanceolate leaves scattered along the main stem, much larger than 

 those of the branches, generally serrate in the middle, and by its one- 

 sided racemes of less crowded heads. 



As we approach the southern border of Massaschusetts, however, 

 our attention is attracted by another species, with heads of about the 

 same size, but of which the ray-flowers stand out from the disk, giving 

 the appearance of little white stars. This \-^ Aster ericoides, in which 

 the lanceolate leaves disappear and the whole plant assumes a decided- 

 ly heath-like aspect. 



It gradually replaces A Tradescanti, so that south of New York it is 

 the prevailing form. Closely allied to these, are Aster du»iosiis, and 

 Aster miser, the former generally, and the latter always found in 

 thickets or open woods, rather than in exposed situation. 



In the section Calliastrum, in the same manner, Aster Radula oc- 

 curs on the coast of Maine, the earliest of the genus ; but is replaced in 

 southern Massaschusetts by Aster spectabilis, while a third allied spe- 

 cies. Aster Surciilosus, is confined to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. 



J. W. Chickerinc^. 



The American Mistletoe. 



{Phoradeiidroii Flavescens. ) 



This pargisitic shrub has been found growing on several Pepperidge, 

 or Sour-gum trees {JVj'ssa Multiflora) in this district, among which 

 may be mentioned two trees between Columbia road and Rock Creek, 

 and south of Woodley road ; two trees on the race-grounds on the 

 east side of the road, a short distance beyond the Lunatic Asylum ; 

 and two trees very near the Potomac river, and just south of the Lu- 

 natic Asylum grounds. I am not aware that it has been found grow- 

 ing on any other kind of tree in this vicinity, though it is said in 

 Gray's Manual to prefer Hickories and Elms. 



The roots of the Mistletoe — if they may be properly called roots — 

 extend a considerable distance into the wood of the tree on which it 

 grows ; and there is a great contrast between the very soft wood of 

 the Mistletoe and the very hard wood of the Pepperidge. Do these 

 roots excrete a corrosive fluid and thus eat their way into the hard 



