458 © General Notes. 
by Dr. Sereno Watson, on March 14, 1888, more than a month 
after the lamented author’s death, and is entitled “‘ Notes upon some 
Polypetalous Genera and Orders.” Certain doubtful Rutaceæ are 
discussed, among them Xanthoxylum, to which correct orthography 
the author calls particular attention. 
e notes on Vitaceæ, by way of review of Planchon’s “ Ampel- 
ideæ,” he had scarcely commenced “when his work upon the Flora 
of North America ceased.” He pointed out, however, that if we 
accept Planchon’s numerous genera (see AM. Nat. for March), 
we must take up Rafinesque’s name, Quinaria, instead of Partheno- 
cissus for the Virginia Creeper and its relations. Dr. Gray, how- 
ever, pronounced emphatically against the innovation, maintaining 
that “the Ampelopsis qunquefolia Michx., remains as the proper 
representative of the genus, and should preserve the name.” 
Further he says: “It may still be questioned whether the mass 
of Ampelides can be definitely separated from Vitis, and into how 
many genera divided ; but surely Ampelopsis, with the Virginia 
` 2) 
Creeper as the type, must be admitted as a good genus. 
A New Type or Licens. — Formerly it was supposed that 
all lichens were ascomycetous, and it was quite a shock when a 
few years ago the announcement was made of the discovery of 
certain hymenomycetous lichens. We are now told by Massee 
(Arch. Sci. Phys. and Nat., xviii.,) of a couple of genera of gastro- 
mycetous lichens. Thus we have now known the following 
roups of lichens: (1) Ascolichenes, (2) Hymenolichenes, and (3) 
astrolichenes. 
Tue ASH oF TILLANDSIA USNEOIDES.—This plant, popularly 
known as the Florida long-moss, is considered as a typical epiphyte- 
Reliable observers have stated that it will grow and increase, month 
by month, on a support as juiceless as a telegraph wire. Its roots 
are looked upon as mere hold-fasts—anchors, to prevent the plant 
from falling to the earth. No absorption is supposed to take place 
through those roots; thus the plant is considered to differ from 
arasitic species like Phoradendron, etc. Yet it is well known that 
this so-called epiphyte has a certain proportion of mineral matter 
in its make-up. At the suggestion of Professor Henry Trimble, I 
have made an analysis of this ash, and have found the composition 
of it to be full of interest. If the roots do not absorb the joie of 
the supporting trees, then this mineral matter found in the plant 
must be collected from the air. It is hardly to be supposed that 
the floating dust of the forests where the Tillandsia grows 18 V 
abundant; and it seems almost absurd to think that all the ele- 
ments found in the ash can have been collected in this way. 
following are the results obtained from about 100 grammes of the 
dried plant. The moss was in a green condition when receiv 
Total ash, 2.95 per cent. Composition :— ; 
