280 
Philadelphia, Aprii—September, 1878. Of botanical interest we 
note Thomas Meehan on “ The law governing Sex.” It is no new 
thing hereabout that Acer rubrum is in effect dioecious, but the 
observation of the checked growth of the fairly starting stamens or 
pistils is very interesting as showing a development caught in the 
act, and is similar to what occurs in Si/ene inflata as we pointed out 
years ago. Dr. J. Gibbons Hunt, and Mr. Edward Potts, throw 
some new light on the action of thé glands in the Asclepiads. Dr. 
Hunt’s observations were made on Sfafelia_asterias, the disagree- 
able odor of. which, it seems, is, by its attraction for flies, a 
means to cross-fertilization. ‘“ Continuous observation for several 
hours, under a lens which took in a large field of view, revealed 
many flies eagerly applying their tongues all over the petals and 
essential organs, apparently eating with almost intoxicated relish 
the attractive excretion covering those parts. This banquet was 
indulged in in safety until their tongues came in contract with one 
or more of five black spots situated near and alternate with the 
stamens, when, with amazing quickness, the fly was seized and firmly 
held by the, tongue, a helpless prisoner. Now a struggle com- 
menced, and if the fly was small and not vigorous, he remained in 
the trap, but, if large and strong, his efforts to escape were success- 
ful, and he flew away dragging from its position the black sensitive 
spot and also the pollen masses, two of which are attached to each 
trap. This adhesion of the fly’s tongue to these black spots is not. 
caused by any cementing liquid, but it is fairly caught by an organic 
structure, the action resembling that of a common steel trap used 
for catching rats.” “The organ at the juncture of the pollen 
masses is the sensitive trap, and when touched, however lightly, by 
the fly or other object (asahair for example), the opposing, separated, 
parallel, and hard edges instantaneously close like pincers, and the prey 
is secured.” The words we have italicized contain the novelty in 
Dr. Hunt’s observation, and seem to indicate a sensibility in the so- 
called gland, the action of which gland in our common Asclepiads 
has often puzzled us. Dr. Hunt’s attention was called to the subject 
by Mr. Isaac Burk, and at the suggestion of the Doctor, Mr. Potts 
examined such species of the genus Asclepias as were within his 
reach. His statement is that when a fine hair touched “ the sensi- 
tive inner surface of a gland” it caused “it instantly to contract.” 
He notices that “ the glands remain open and susceptible long after 
plucking the flowers.’’ The figure he gives is not so decisive as that 
of the Stapelia, and allows of mechanical action as a possible 
explanation. 
§ 284. Parry’s Herbarium.—* Dr. C. C. Parry, of Davenport, 
Ia., has deposited in the Academy of Science, at that city, his large 
botanical collection of thirty thousand specimens, the labor of 
thirty-six years.” : 
Lerms—One Dollar per annum beginning with the January number, For the Botanical 
: Directory 40 cents ; three copies for one dollar, or twelve for three dollars. Vols. I,-V. 
with index, and photograph of Dr. Torrey, $3.75. Copies of Constitution and By-Laws 
of the Club. 25 cents. Address, WM. H. LEGGETT, 54, t 81st Street, New York. Money 
Orders on Station K, V. ¥. All subscriptions or orders filled only on receipt of the money, 
- The Club meets regularly the second Tuesday of the month in the Herbarium,Columbia College, 
- at7:30 P.M. Botanists are invited to attend. Dr. Tuurser. the President cf the Club, — 
may be found at 245 Broadway. 35 he ee ee. 
