THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
of the lawn mower has failed to eradicate it; in fact, it has so 
^ adapted itself to its new way of living as to succeed admirably. As 
it is unable to flower it reproduces itself by offshoots and roots 
from nearly every joint, and if left undisturbed will soon form 
undesirable looking patches. These new conditions have only 
occurred during late years, and its speedy eradication is advis- 
able." The same form has been common for some years in the 
editor's lawn and two years ago specimens were sent to Prof. Peck 
the Xew York State Botanist. Since this form is best handled 
if given a name it is here proposed to call it Bninella vulgaris 
forma nana. It is a curious fact, not generally known that Lin- 
naeus wrote the generic name Prunella, though all subsequent 
writers begin the word with a B.—JVillard X. Clnte. 
EPIPHYTES. 
The relation of these plants to their nutrient substratum is a 
very interesting question,because it enables us to see the particular 
way in which they obtain their food. Those that grow on the 
bark of trees — and they are numerous among Orchids — have a pe- 
culiar method of maintaining themselves. Their roots are adnate 
to the bark, exposed on one side to the air, and form projecting 
lines and ridges, ramifying in all directions, and often constituting 
a regular trellis-work cemented to the bark. These serve as instru- 
ments of attachment, but at the same time they also absorb nutri- 
ment from the substratum, the decaying bark upon which the plant 
is epiphytic. During periods of drought this absorption is sus- 
pended and the plant is practically dormant, but when the rainy 
season commences there is a long duration of wet weather, the 
water trickling over the surface from the collecting ground of 
leaves and twigs overhead, descending lower and lower, and bring- 
ing down not only tiny loosened particles of bark and decaying 
vegetation, but mineral and organic dust which has collected, dis- 
solving all the soluble matter it finds on its way, and so reaches the 
roots and rhizoids in the form of mineral and organic compounds, 
chiefly the latter. In this way the requisite nourishment is convey- 
ed to these curious epiphytes, whose period of active growth occurs 
during the rainy season. 
