60 The American Naturalist. [January, 
Gadow’s explanation that the likeness of the two forms is the result of 
parallism in evolution. 
The ancestors in the two cases, generalized rails capable of flight, 
were probably of different genera, or, at least, of different species. ; 
A second paper (Sept., 1896) gives the osteology of Paleolimnas — 
chathamensis and Nesolimnas (gen. nov.) dieffenbachii. = 
The proportions of Paleolimnas, together with the considerable — 
size of the sternal keel and the deep impression of the insertion of the — 
Pectoralis major on the crest of the humerus leads the author to state T 
that “it seems probable that Palæolimnas may have still been capable 
of heavy flight for short distances.” 
Of Nesolimnas, the new genus, Mr. Andrews remarks as follows: 
“In Nesolimnas we have an annectant form linking the flying to — 
the flightless rails. In its plumage, in the condition of its sternum, 
and in many other points, it reminds us of Hyopotænidia ; while on 
the other hand, in the reduction of its wings and the consequent mod- 
ification of its hind limb it approaches Ocydromus. The existence f 
such an intermediate type seems to give strong support to the opinion 
that the Ocydromine rails have originated from forms capable of 
flight at a comparatively recent date and in the islands they now in- — 
habit.” 4 
Both papers are profusely illustrated. | 
BOTANY.’ 
Climatic Influence of Lake Erie on Vegetation.—In 
small district in northern Ohio, including Erie County, Sandusky Bay 
and the peninsula that bounds it on the north, with the islands of the 
Put-in-Bay group, there are growing wild 103 species and varieties of ‘ 
phanerogams, which so far as known have not been found anywhere iN 
Michigan, 118 not found in Canada, and 233 not within fifty miles 0 
the city of Buffalo, at the east end of the lake. Bo 
Lake Erie is not a barrier to the dispersal of seeds, but it affects dif 
ferently the climate of places on its different sides, making each differe 
from the others and different from that of places lying in the same lati- 
tude, but not near the lake. The south shore is protected from north 
winds, and receives the full benefit of those from the opposite direction, 
1 Edited by Prof. C. E. Bessey, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. — 
