Tell the substratum on which the specimen was found—as boulders, limestone, sandstone, log or stump, fence-rail, tree or plant, soil, etc. Give additional notes as to appearance, size, abundance, habitat, habit, etc. Those growing on rocks can not generally be removed—a thin piece of rock must be chipped off to secure them.
A detailed description should be written of each kind (species); drawings perhaps might be undertaken; the different species should be compared and contrasted. Use a good pocket lens. There is no text-book on Lichens that is usable by beginners.
Dendrological.—The Trees may be studied from one of several points of view. If a camera be used, selected trees should be studied and illustrated; the bark compared in case of different species, likewise in case of one and the same species when the individuals are of different ages and sizes or grow in different situations or exposures; also modes of branching compared and shapes contrasted. Very full notes should be taken, and when written up in the report reference should be made constantly to the numbered illustrations. Few or many kinds of trees, as preferred, may be taken if this phase of the subject is selected.
Instead of the above one may study and identify all the kinds (species) of trees in the region. Full descriptions should be written out, and similarities and contrasts of different species noted. Give uses of the kinds of woods only when such use is made in the region or the near town or city. Collect twigs and fasten them to card-boards (8¼ × 11½ inches). Attach a specimen of the fruit also when it can be found under the tree. A pamphlet (price 10 cents) with a Key to the Ohio Forest Trees by means of which the names can be determined, may be obtained from the writer.
A third method of carrying out the work on trees would be to give an account of the forest area in the region—either taking a square or rectangular tract of a mile or more in extent; or selecting if possible a natural area, as a river or creek valley, or other obviously bounded tract of ample dimensions. Draw a map of the selected region and locate thereon the forests and groups of trees. Describe them, indicating the prominent kinds of trees, the less abundant species, and the very rare ones. Tell approximately the size of the largest, the commonest size, etc. Note uses made of some of the kinds in the region or at a near manufactory. Record other observations.
MINOR PLANT NOTES, NO. 2.
W. A. Kellerman.
Taraxacum Erythrospermum.—The Red-seeded Dandelion, now known to be common in our State, is a late bloomer. An abundance of flowers may be seen way after the severe frosts of autumn set in. Mr. Fred. J. Tyler collected specimens in bloom at Perry, Lake County, December 17. He reports “great fields” of it at that place, whereas the common Dandelion (Taraxacum taraxacum) was conspicuous by its absence. Prof. Beardslee of Cleveland, reports the Red-seeded form as the one of common occurrence in Cuyahoga County. I have noted the Red-seeded form in bloom near the city of Columbus December 23, though the month has been a cold one, the thermometer registering once 10° F. The Common Dandelion (Taraxacum taraxacum) does not seem to bloom so late in the season—at least it is in bloom much less abundantly here. Contributions of phenological observations on interesting plants of our flora by readers of The Naturalist are in this incidental way earnestly solicited.
Grove of Large Beeches.—There are now remaining in Ohio very few large groves of beeches. Of groves of very large beeches the same may be said. At Arion, in Scioto County, in the narrow valley of Brush Creek, are a large number of magnificent specimens of this very attractive American tree. The trunks are straight as is always the case for this species, smooth, and many of them are ten to twelve feet in circumference. One specimen measured twelve feet four inches, three feet from the ground. The grove is now used for picnic and camping purposes, and it is sincerely hoped that these splendid trees may be sacredly preserved for an indefinite time.
Habitat of Rhamnus Caroliniana.—The manuals give the habitat of this species “in swamps and on low grounds” (Britton), “swamps and river banks” (Gray), “river banks” (Wood), and “fertile soil” (Chapman). It has been previously reported that this species was found in Ohio last November. Several specimens were found near the Ohio river in Adams county at the mouth of Brush creek, and a few were seen in Brown county. In a little ravine on Cedar creek, a tributary of Brush creek, in Adams county, fourteen miles north of the Ohio river, an enormous number of plants were growing. Some were nine to eleven inches in circumference at the base and fourteen feet high. None occurred in “swamps,” though many were in “low grounds” where the soil seemed to be fairly fertile. The majority were on rocky hillsides or quite on the top of very high ground. The annexed cut shows a specimen near the top of a rocky bluff or hill perhaps one hundred and fifty feet above the valley at Cedar Mills, Ohio. This southern Buckthorn still retained its shining leaves though my visit was late in November when nearly all the other trees except the oaks were bare. This, with the great quantities of black fruits, presented a charming spectacle. The plant is also reported in Stanley Coulter’s catalogue of Indiana plants, discovered in the southern counties by Mr. W. T. Blatchley, “growing on rocky hillsides.”