NOTES. 



— The occurrence of Equisetum ftalustre in fair abundance 

 along the Connecticut river near Long Island Sound, is recorded 

 by Dr. C. B. Graves in Rhodora for April. This is a northern 

 species, not hitherto reported south of northern Maine and the 

 Vermont shore of Lake Champlain, according to the writer. 



— Two specimens of Scott's spleenwort {Asplenium ebenoides 

 R. R. Scott), one especially luxuriant and both finely fruited, 

 were collected in July last by Dr. Thomas C. Porter on shaded 

 limestone rocks along the Lehigh river, above Easton, Pa. This 

 is a new station for this rare and interesting fern. 



— In reference to the monstrosities of the field horsetail men- 

 tioned by Mr. Eaton in this number, it will be of interest to note 

 that the Plant World for September contains an illustration of a 

 forking stem bearing two perfect spikes, that was found in New 

 York city in 1898. 



— The collections made in the LaPlata region of the southern 

 Rocky mountains by Mr. C. F. Baker last year, contained so 

 many new and interesting things that he decided to spend all 

 of the present season botanizing in the region just north of this. 

 The determinations will be made by Prof. E. L. Greene, of the 

 Catholic University, Washington, thus assuring their accuracy. 

 Information in regard to sets of the plants may be addressed to 

 Mr. Baker at St. Croix Falls, Wis. 



BOOK NEWS. 



Speculations regarding the origin of color in flowers have 

 always been among the botanist's favorite themes. A new con- 

 tribution to the subject, entitled " Observations on the Colors of 

 Flowers,"* from the pen of E.Williams Hervey, is worth attention. 

 The author does not quite agree with those who have preceded 

 him in this field, and cites a multitude of species and many curi- 

 ous facts in support of his conclusions. What the author believes 

 to be the first explanation of the origin of the honey guides in 

 flowers, forms the concluding chapters The pamphlet is well 

 printed and is a pleasing addition to the literature of this much 

 discussed subject. 



♦"Observations on the Color of Flowers," by E. Williams Hervey, New 

 Bedford, Mass. E. Anthony & Sons, 1899. 8 vo. (paper). 105 pp. Price 75c. 



