BOTANICAL OBSERVATIONS IN WESTERN WYOMING. 177 
was equally distinguished by its brilliant colors and cultivated style 
. of growth. \ Of other plants affecting such locations we may men- 
tion Spraguea umbellata Torr., Chenactis Douglasii Hook., Euna- 
. nus Fremontii DC., and, more singular in its associations with 
neglected fields and gardens, Brunella vulgaris L. and Ser — 
nodosa L. 
Another peculiar plant of this district is that characterized by 
Dr. Torrey in Hayden’s Report as a new genus of Lobeliacex, 
viz: Porterella-carnulosa Torr. By some inadvertence the syno- 
nym of the original plant, described in Botany of Beechey’s Voyage, 
page 362, under the name Lobelia carnosula H. and A, was quoted . 
as Lobelia carnulosa `H. and A., and the changed name adopted 
for the typical species of this proposed genus. It is still doubtful 
whether the distinguishing characters are sufficient to entitle this 
plant to generic rank as distinct from Lobelia. The localities in 
which it was invariably found were recently exsiccated pond-holes 
in open grassy valleys, which it adorned profusely with its deli- 
cate blue flowers; it was here quite constantly ae with 
Nasturtium curvisiligua Nutt. 
While searching in similar localities near the falls of the Yel- 
_lowstone for fruiting specimens of the latter plant, my attention 
“was directed to a dense subaquatic growth, occupying the basin 
of a shallow muddy pond. This proved to be Isoetes, which Dr. 
Engelmann, who has assiduously studied this difficult genus, has 
characterized under the name of Isoetes Bolanderi var. Parryi. - 
(See Appendix, No. 307.) The numerous additions to this genus, 
lately made under the inspiring influence of Dr. Engelmann’s 
~ Fesearches, show how largely dependent is the introductory work 
of the botanical collector on the supplementary labors of the 
herbarium botanist. 
_ On the elevated grassy slopes, which at different points afford 
3 an agreeable relief to the uniform forest growth, wè invariably 
encounter a well marked subalpine flora in the prevalence of such 
iias eae At T elevations the same open. n character 
of nigel eel set _ with copses of “Ai y ate Lindl., 
