928 The American Naturalist. [October, 
critical position in this country.” “I do not know what the result will 
be.” “ You have no conception of the violence of the discussions on 
nomenclature now going on in this country.” It is not conceivable 
that any reputable botanist would write thus of his fellow workers, and 
the editor of the Journal must have been imposed upon by some petty 
writer.—CHARLES E. Bessey. 
Fertilization of the Yellow Adder’s-Tongue (Erythronium 
americanum).—The common Dog-Tooth Violet or Adder’s-Tongue 
differs remarkably from its nearest ally, the tulip, in its method of 
fertilization. The blossoms of the latter being deficient in nectar in 
this country, are visited by small bees for the pollen only. Observa- 
tions made by me in the spring of 1888 upon the Adder’s-Tongue show 
that small drops of nectar are secreted at the base of the inner petals 
of the perianth, and that male bees (Nomada luteola), together with 
female bees of the genus Halictus, visit the flowers for this nectar, 
searching the base of the stamens and inner petals to secure it. 
Patron, Hartford, Conn. 
« Aboriginal’’ Botany.—Mr. F. V. Coville, the Chief of the 
Division of Botany, and Honorary Curator of the Department of 
Botany of the U. S. National Museum has issued directions for collect- 
ing specimens and information illustrating the aboriginal uses of 
plants. Information of this kind is so important that it is desirable 
that more attention should be given to obtaining it by all who have 
the opportunity. It is suggested that the following points should be 
kept in mind. (1) Specimens of the plants or parts of plants used for 
any purpose by the Indians should be secured in such condition as to 
be readily identified by botanists, and accompanied by notes and 
memoranda, (2) Specimens of all kinds of manufactures from plants 
are desired by the National Museum. (3) Great care should always 
be taken to properly, and fully label every specimen of whatever kind, 
since much of its value depends upon such data as can be given only 
by the collector. We would urge all who may be able to contribute to 
our knowledge in the matter to send to the National Museum for a copy 
of these directions, 
New Species of Physalis.—In the July number of the Torrey 
Bulletin Mr. P. A. Rydberg describes four new species and one new 
variety of Physalis, a genus of which he is preparing a monograph. 
The new species are as follows, viz.: Physalis subulata, from Mexico ; 
P. comata from Nebraska, Kansas and Texas; P. versicolor, from New 
