By Theodor Holm. Pp.22. Plates IX. Reprint from the Proceedings of the U. S. National Museum. Dr. Holm was attracted to the variation of leaves in the common tulip-tree by a study of the leaves of small seedlings. Continuing his observations, he found that the species is remarkably variable in foliar characters, and that the descriptions in our botanies are not only entirely inadequate, but are often erroneous. These observations led to a critical examination of the fossil species of liriodendron. The geological history of them is interesting, inasmuch as but one species now exists, and this is confined to eastern America and China. In cretaceous time the species are supposed to have been numerous. These fossil species have been founded entirely upon imprints of leaves. Dr. Holm shows that the variations between many of these old-time forms is not greater than those which now exist even upon branches of the same tree. Some fourteen fossil species have been described, but the author thinks that the number must be considerably reduced.

American Grapes.

Bulb Book.

Island Botany.

The Tulip-tree.

He thinks that our recent species existed so long ago as the pliocene. He attempts to arrive at some conclusion as to the generic origin of the tulip-trees, and he is led by certain leaf characters to suggest some magnolia or magnolia-like type as the progenitor.