90 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
Orris Root. — It will probably be new to many to learn that 
the ''orris root" of commerce is the rootstock of an iris (/. Flor- 
entilna The plant is easily cultivated in the garden and is fre- 
quently planted for the flowers of lavender and white. 
The Shasta Daisy. — One of the best illustrations of what can 
be done by careful breeding of plants is found in the shasta daisy 
which is now attracting the attention of gardeners. The flower 
which is much like the common daisy in general appearance is 
•stated to be often twelve inches in circumference, with three or 
more rows of pure white rays. These flowers have been produc- 
ed by crossing the common daisy with European and Japanese 
species. When the proper strain was produced, careful selection 
did the rest. 
Sentiment and Plant Protection. — A circular recently 
sent out by one of our societies for plant protection speaks of ''the 
sanctity of plant life." Such sentiments may be all very well 
when some beautiful orchid is in mind, but if the society really 
wants to make itself solid with our agricultural population, it 
had better cease operations on this line and make application at 
once for a permanent injunction against the Canada thistle, ox- 
eye daisy, quack grass and various others of the vagabond bro- 
therhood. 
The Southern Dandelion. — I must tell you the dandelion 
is to be found in Florida but it is in miniature. You would per- 
haps have to put on your "specs'' to see it. The blossom is less 
than one-half inch across as I have found them. Wish I 
could have had you with me in the depths of a hammock in Flor- 
ida where the sword ferns (XepJirolcpis) of several varieties we 
growing with a wealth and luxuriance that was marvelous. — /. 
Yates Peck, Hudson, A\ Y. (Probably the Florida dandelion 
found by our correspondent is the little Adopogon which occas- 
ionally gets as far north as Xew York. — Ed.) 
Composition of Plants. — The whole realm of organic things 
contains practically only four substances — carbon, oxygen hydro- 
