THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



113 



by U. P. Hedrick to exist between the colors of the calyx-cup 

 and the colors of the flesh of peaches and nectarines. In all 

 the varieties examined, those having the interior of the calyx- 

 cup green had white-fleshed fruits and all that had the interior 

 of the calyx-cup orange gave yellow-fleshed fruits. In breed- 

 ing, the colors are said to work out according to Mendel's 

 law and thus prove to be true unit characters. The discovery 

 of the correlation of color in peaches is likely to prove of value 

 to the breeder and grower of peaches since he can thus dis- 

 cover, some time in advance of fruiting, what color a new 

 variety will have. 



Calochortus macrocarpus. — That the beautiful 

 is sometimes useful is exemplified by the surprise lilv 

 mentioned on another page in this issue. Its bulb is both 

 edible and palatable, a fact which has long been known to 

 the western Indians. In I\Iary Elizabeth Parsons' "AA'ild- 

 flowers of California" we find the following: ''Among the 

 Indians of their native region the rather large bulbs of these 

 plants are known as 'noonas' and regarded as a priceless 

 delicacy. Even those who have never experienced the bliss 

 of tasting them know them by reputation as the acme of all 

 that is delicious. AAdien Mr. Johnson of Astoria wished to 

 secure a number of the bulbs for the European market, he 

 hired the squaws to dig them, but found that they ate them 

 as fast as they dug them, and it was only by ofi^ering them 

 more liberal stores of bacon and flour that he could induce 

 them to restrain their appetites and part with the treasure." 



