1890.] Botany. 277 
11. Eventually to appoint ‘‘associates’’ to the director, who are 
to be specialists in some department of Botany. 
From surveys made it appears that in the garden proper there are 
9.4 acres; in the Arb-retum, 20.5; in the Fruticetum, 8 ; O egeta- 
ble Garden, 3.5 ; Grove, 0.6; Lawn, 2.7; making in All 44.7 acres. 
We may hope to see, in time, an American Kew at St. Louis.— 
CHARLES E. BESSEY. 
Ellis’ ‘“ North American Fungi.’’—About the middle of Feb- 
ruary centuries XXIV. and XXV. of this great distribution of the 
Fungi of North America were distributed to subscribers. It is needless 
to speak of the fine specimens, or of the neatness with which the 
mechanical work has been done, for these are already well known to 
most readers of the NATURALIST. 
Century XXIV. contains a few Basidiomycetes (about twenty pieces), 
the remainder being mostly Ascomycetes. Among the latter is an 
interesting new species, Plowrightia symphoricarpi, occurring on Sym- 
phoricarpus occidentalis in Montana. Botanists will recognize in this 
a congener of the familiar Black Knob of the plum. 
Century XXV. contains about twenty-five Urdinee and Ustilaginez. 
Among the latter are the interesting Ustilago andropogonis of Kellerman 
- and Swingle, and the apparently related Sorosporium ellisii of Winter, 
both infesting the inflorescence of Andropogon provincialis. A dozen 
fine specimens of Slime Moulds (in boxes) closes this vnluable century. 
—CHARLEs E. BESSEY. 
Seymour and Earle’s Economic Fungi.—During the month 
of January, the first foretaste of a new distribution of the fungi made 
its appearance. ‘‘The object of this series,’’ the authors say in their 
announcements, “‘ is chiefly to supply a set of authentic specimens to 
illustrate the diseases of useful and noxious plants, for the use of Agri- 
cultural Experiment Stations, and persons interested in the subject from 
a practical standpoint.” The specimens before us (Nos. 1 to 50) indi- 
cate that the authors have done this work well and wisely. Six 
species affecting Vitaceze, and twenty-eight upon Rosacez, are presented. 
Of the latter six species affect the Blackberry (Rubus villosus). 
No station can afford to do without this set, especially when its 
moderate price of $3.00 per fascicle of fifty specimens is considered. 
‘We trust that the authors may meet with encouragement to warrant 
them in continuing their work.—Cuas. E. BEssEy. 
