608 



EXOGENOUS PLANTS. 



it, than to the thing itself. With all this, an air of mystery is thrown over the subject, combining to 

 render reliable information, on the one hand, difficult to obtain, and on the other, good for nothing when 

 obtained. The subject in fact belongs more properly to the moral than the natural philosopher, and I 

 have contented myself with a single specification of alleged virtues, without taking the trouble to classify 

 them. 



Particular attention has been given to the class of ferns, from their more intimate relation with geo- 

 logy, of which, including the allied orders, Equisetacege and Lijcopodiacese, thirty-eight different species 

 have been observed, including some of much interest. 



The class of forest trees having been designed for a special report, they are merely included in my list 

 in their proper natural order, without reference to their comparative geographical distribution or relative 

 economical value. 



The number of plants comprised in this list is seven hundred and twenty-seven, included in one hun- 

 dred and six natural orders; many of these have never before been referrrd to this region. 



I am indebted to the distinguished botanist, Dr. John Torrey, — and what American botanist is not ? — 

 for the authentication of my doubtful specimens, particularly in the class of grasses and sedges. 



My acknowledgments are also due to Mr. William S. Sullivan, of Ohio, for labelling my entire collec- 

 tion of mosses. 



To Dr. S. B. Mead, of Illinois, I also owe thanks for interesting information, and obliging assistance, 

 in making out this report. 



For Indian names, I have relied mainly on information derived from the hospitable Missionaries, Rev. 

 R. Hopkins, of Traverse des Sioux, and Mr. Ely, of La Pointe, Lake Superior. 



EXOGENS. 



RanunculacEjE. — Atragenc Americana, (Sims.) May 18th. Shady rocks at the head of Lake St. 

 Croix. Clematis Viorna, (L.) June 9th. Banks of the Mississippi, near Davenport, Iowa. Clematis 

 Virginiana, (L.) Copses. July. Pulsatilla patens, (Mill.) May 15th. In fruit. Galena, 111. This 

 characteristic and handsome plant occurs abundantly to the north and west of the locality specified, pre- 

 ferring high prairies and gravelly ridges, which, in early spring, it adorns with its elegant blue flowers, 

 or later, with its no less beautiful plumed fruit. It possesses the acrid properties, and probably equal 

 medicinal qualities, with a closely allied European species. It is said by the Indians frequently to occa- 

 sion sores on the lips of children, attracted by their showy blossoms. It may farther be mentioned as an 

 interesting fact in connexion with its geographical range, that the same plant is found in New Mexico, 

 specimens from that locality having been shown me by Dr. Englemann, of St. Louis. Anemone Caro- 

 liniana, (Walt.) May 3d. Mississippi River bank, Davenport, and Rock Island. The geographical 

 range of this interesting species is deserving of notice. First known as a native of the Carolinas, it is 

 again met with in Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas, thence finding its way to the Missouri and Platte 

 Rivers; the locality, just specified, probably determining its northeastern limits. It here grows always 

 associated with Draba Caroliniana, and Androsace occidentalis ; a significant relationship, connecting as it 

 were the two extremes, Carolina and Nebraska. Anemone neinorosa, (L.) May. Woods. Anemone 

 cylindrica, (Gray.) June. A characteristic plant of dry rolling prairies, throughout the Northwest. 

 Anemone Virginiana, (L.) July. Woods of Iowa. Anemone Pennsylvania, (L.) June. River banks. 

 Ilepatica triloba, (Chaix.) April. Woods and hills. Thalictrum anemonoides, (Michx.) April. Com- 

 mon. Thalictrum dioicum, (L.) May. Copses, Lake St. Croix. Thalictrum Cornuti, (L.) June. 

 River banks. Ranunculus aquatilis, (L.) July. Still brooks and ponds. Ranunculus Purshii, 

 ( Richards.) June. Stagnant brooks. Ranunculus reptans, (L.) August. Sandy shores of lakes, St. 

 Croix. Ranunculus cymbalaria, (Pursh.) July 5th. Little Rock, Upper St. Peter's. This species is 

 generally associated with salines, but this locality seemed to be an exception. Ranunculus abortivus. (L.) 

 May. Woods and copses. Ranunculus Pennsylvanicus, (L.) August. St. Croix river banks. Ranun- 



