NOTES AND ABSTKACTS. 



145 



Calceolaria Burbidgei, Leptospermum scoparium, Correa cardinalis, 

 Grevillea rosmarinifolia, and Convolvulus cneorum. — H. B. D. 



Sisyrhinehium, Anatomical Studies of North American 

 Species of. By Theo. Holm (Bot. Gaz., September 1908, pp. 179-192 ; 

 2 plates). — The author finds from the anatomical characters that the 

 genus is a very natural one and ought not to be subdivided. 



"In regard to the almost untold number of recently described 

 ' species ' of Sisyrhinehium, I have examined the internal structure of 

 some of these, but so far have failed to detect any character that might 

 appear specific ; and, moreover, it seems very evident, when the diagnoses 

 of the majority of these are read, that they deal not with 'species ' but 

 merely with ' local forms.' " — G. F. S.-E. 



Snowdrops and how to grow them. By W. Irving (Garden, 

 January 1909, p. 1).— The writer recommends growing them in the grass, 

 under the shade of trees, on the margins of woodland walks, or in thin 

 deciduous shrubberies. After mentioning the autumn-flowering species, 

 Galanthus nivalis var. octobrensis (October), G. Olgae (November), and 

 G. cilicius (December), which he notices fail to increase readily, Mr. 

 Irving enumerates fourteen varieties, giving cultural details, laying stress 

 on the importance of a light, well-drained soil, which will allow the bulbs 

 to become somewhat dry in summer. He also gives instructions for 

 cultivation in pots. — H. B. D. 



Sorbus Vilmorini (Bot. Mag., tab. 8241).— Nat. ord. Bosaceae ; tribe 

 Pomeae ; China. Shrub or small tree 10-20 feet high ; leaves slender, 

 unequally pinnate, with 9-14 pairs of leaflets ; flowers small, white ; fruit 

 globose, red. — G. H. 



South Texan Prairie, Change of Vegetation on the. By 0. F. 



Cook (U.S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Industry, Circ. No. 14). — 

 According to Mr. 0. F. Cook, forest and swamp once occupied the 

 gulf plains of Texas. Then followed a period of primitive Indian 

 agriculture, in which forest stretches were cleared by fire. Such clearings 

 remained under grass on account of the regular fires, which prevented the 

 development of trees. So the land became open grassy prairies, where 

 nomad hunters chased the great herds of buffaloes. In the early days of 

 cattle ranching the fires were " very besoms of destruction" but as the 

 grazing became more thorough, the fires became of less importance and 

 were kept under control. Sometimes it was found impossible to set fire 

 to the old grass, especially in dry seasons. 



Then a new development began, for pioneer bushes of the Prosopis 

 established themselves and formed " open mesquite country " ; upon these 

 followed the invasion of Acacia Farnesiana, giant cacti, or " oak runners," 

 and the forest was by means of these forerunners gradually reoccupying 

 the land. 



But this will not happen, for the ranch-owners are selling their land to 

 " truck " farmers who find the land fertile and productive even though five 

 to ten dollars an acre has to be paid for clearing away the bushes. 



vol. xxxv. L 



