Anatomical examination of the apomictic reproductive structures produced on the tips of leaves in the bog orchid, Malaxis paludosa, has revealed these structures to be an embryo-like structure enclosed in a sterile jacket of cells. It is proposed that these reproductive structures be classified as foliar embryos.

A taximetric analysis of Lithophragma, a genus endemic to North America containing 10 taxa, reveals a close similarity to the taxonomy proposed by the author in a recent monograph using the traditional intuitive approach. The taximetric method is based on a neo-Adansonian approach utilizing the same characters used in the intuitive study, but arbitrarily giving equal weight to all unit characters. A total of 29 unit characters was employed and although this is fewer than is considered necessary by most taximetrists to ensure reproducible results, the analysis is restricted to but a single small genus. The number of unit characters could be greatly increased by the inclusion of generic characters; however, such characters would be merely redundant and positive. A rearranged similarity matrix and dendogram are included. The conclusion is reached that taximetrics may help place plant taxonomy on an objective basis as is classification ill such disciplines as physics and chemistry. Its application, however, must await extensive documentation of plant taxa on a broad basis. 1

Chromosome numbers are presented for 97 taxa of western Canada. A total of 33 are reported for the first time, and of these, the chromosome numbers given for Xerophyllum(Liliaceae), n = 15, Menziesia (Ericaceae), n = 13, and Physostegia (Labiatae), n = 19, are the first for these genera. A brief discussion is given for a few of the taxa.

A taximetric analysis of Lithophragma, a genus endemic to North America containing 10 taxa, reveals a close similarity to the taxonomy proposed by the author in a recent monograph using the traditional intuitive approach. The taximetric method is based on a neo‐Adansonian approach utilizing the same characters used in the intuitive study, but arbitrarily giving equal weight to all unit characters. A total of 29 unit characters was employed and although this is fewer than is considered necessary by most taximetrists to ensure reproducible results, the analysis is restricted to but a single small genus. The number of unit characters could be greatly increased by the inclusion of generic characters; however, such characters would be merely redundant and positive. A rearranged similarity matrix and dendogram are included. The conclusion is reached that taximetrics may help place plant taxonomy on an objective basis as is classification in such disciplines as physics and chemistry. Its application, however, must await extensive documentation of plant taxa on a broad basis.

Chromosome numbers are reported for the first time for Boykinia intermedia (2n = 14), B. major (2n = 28), Peltoboykinia watanabei (2n = 22), and Suksdorfia (= Hemieva) ranunculifolia (2n = 14). Additional counts are provided for eight other species of Boykinia (including Telesonix), Peltoboykinia, Suksdorfia, and Bolandra. Previous literature reports are reviewed and some errors pointed out. Chromosome numbers do little to resolve the problem of generic limits, with the exception of supporting the segregation of Peltoboykinia. They do, however, support the recognition of Boykinia intermedia as a species distinct from B. major.