V70 



II 5v.**,^. * ADDITIONS TO FLORA OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI. 



botanical- work; and there are no other persons engaged in the same study within 

 our borders, whose observations might eke out our own. 



Our opinion is, that when Jackson County has been thoroughly examined 

 in all its parts, and during several seasons, the number of species will not fall 

 short of one thousand. 



We have noted that many plants in this region vary considerably from the 

 types as given in the manuals, not enough, perhaps, to establish distinct varieties, 

 but sufficiently to often make the determination difficult. For instance, Delphin- 

 ium tricorne, described by Gray, Wood and Chapman as being from 6 to 12 inches 

 high, and having a few flowered raceme, occurs here often 2 feet high, and com- 

 monly with from 20 to 60 blossoms. Delphinium azureum has always white blos- 

 soms. ^Esculus glabra has 7 leaflets as frequentby as 5. Rudbeckia hirta has disks 

 of same diameter varying \ to \ inch in length. Oenothera sinuata has leaves 

 varying from entire to pinnatifid, and passes through all grades of size, etc., be- 

 tween the typical species and variety minima. Tradescantia has forms as to 

 which it is hard to tell whether they are Virginica or pilosa. The list might be 

 much extended. 



The fact seems to be that the text book descriptions have often been drawn 

 up from specimens a little one side of the named specific type, and that our plants 

 are a little the other side, and so a noticeable discrepancy appears. The Western 

 and South-Western Missouri plants have received less attention from leading Bota- 

 nists than those of most other regions in the United States. If our little publica- 

 tion shall at all increase the knowledge of them, it will be as much as we desire. 



It only remains to say that in the determination of the Cyperacea? and 

 Gramineae, which have been collected solely by Mr. Bush, he has had the impor- 

 tant assistance of Dr. George Vasey and Mr. L. H. Bailey, jr., to one or both of 

 whom all the more difficult specimens were submitted; that all the specimens of 

 Salix have been examined by Prof. M. S. Bebb; that all doubtful members of the 

 Solidago and Aster families have been inspected hy the late Dr. George Engel- 

 mann and Prof. F. L. Harvey; and finally that in all other cases of doubt the 

 plant has been referred to Prof. Asa Gray, who has always shown the greatest 

 courtesy and given the most valuable instructions; to him and to the other distin- 

 guished Botanists above named, the heartiest thanks are extended. 



CAMERON MANN 



Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 10, 1885. 



