Botany and Zoology. 393 



of the New England species which give so great a charm to coun- 

 ties in the Connecticut Valley. The richer soil and longer sea- 

 sons of districts only a trifle farther west, make a noticeable 

 difference in the vegetation. 



A trustworthy list like the Amherst or the Middlesex catalogue 

 is of value to Botany, not only by furnishing to the geographical 

 botanist the data which he requires for his investigations, but 

 also by placing before local botanists a definite task, that of add- 

 ing to the list. The desire to add to a carefully prepared list 

 of new plants, is neither a slight nor an unworthy stimulus. 

 Middlesex County presents a peculiarity which rather embar- 

 rasses local collectors and hence has been very properly noticed 

 by the authors of the catalogue. It contains not only more than 

 its fair share of waifs and strays, but it has within its limits a 

 good many European and Western plants which have been set 

 out in favorable localities in the woods and swamps. A former 

 gardener at the Cambridge Botanic Garden is responsible for 

 numerous cases of this kind, but the most startling surprises are 

 henceforth in store for those who herborise in Concord. There 

 the collector is likely to come upon the most unexpected species 

 growing thriftily. Such are the plants introduced into that town 

 by one of its citizens. 



The catalogue is accompanied by a map which presents, by 

 means of a novel method of indicating physical features, a large 

 amount of information within narrow limits. It is to be regretted 

 however that the map was not made on a larger scale, and the 

 book itself of pocket-size. 



The authors are to be congratulated heartily on the successful 

 completion of a task which has placed the students of botany 

 within the county under obligations to extend the list. g. l. g. 



3, A Catalogue of Plants growing without cultivation in the 

 County of Nantucket, Mass.; by Maria L. Owen, Northamp- 

 ton, Mass., 1888, p. xi, 87.— The physiographical sketch given in 

 the introduction to this modest catalogue shows clearly why the 

 vegetation of the island may well be full of interest. "Nan- 

 tucket, as regards its flora, seems like a piece of New Jersey 

 moved up the coast for the convenience of northern amateurs in 

 botany, who cannot get away from business long enough to go 

 collecting in that State." Further, we are told that "Jasmine in 

 the gardens is, in ordinary seasons, in flower from November to 

 February." ..." The ivy (Hedera Helix,) flourishes in the open 

 air without protection seemingly as well as in England, and no 

 limit has been found to its upward growth, except the top bricks 

 of the chimneys to which it climbs." 



A climate of such mildness favors a varied vegetation. But 

 almost every other condition is adverse. Therefore one is not 

 wholly surprised to learn from Mrs. Owen's catalogue, that there 

 are less than 500 native species to be credited at the present time 

 to this area of about fifty square miles. 



The author states that there are more than 100 introduced 



Am. Jour. Scl— Third Series, Yol. XXXYI, No. 215.— Nov., 1888. 

 246 



