83 
forms of animal life in its bladders, and to derive nourishment there- 
from through absorption, but its fish-catching proclivities have only 
recently been noticed. Mr. G. E. Simms, of Oxford, England, was 
the first to call attention to the fact upon finding that a specimen of 
the plant which he had placed in an aquarium was actually entra[)- 
ping large numbers of perches and roaches which had recently 
hatched from a mass of eggs lying at the bottom. These little fishes 
were usually caught by the head, but some were caught by the tail, 
and others were doubly trapped, the head being held fast in one trap 
and the tail in another. In order to learn something of its destruc- 
tive powers, Mr. Simms placed 150 perch fry in a vessel containing 
specimens of Uiricularia, and, at the end of two days, foundthat all 
but one or two had been entrapped. 
Proceedings of the Torrey Club — The regular meeting of the 
Club was held at Columbia College, Tuesday evening. May 13th. 
In the absence of the presiding officers, Mr. Braman occupied the 
chair. 
Mr. Bicknell exhibited double-spurred specimens of Viola caninUy 
van, sylvesiris, and a white- flowered form of Aqtiilegia Canadensis, 
from Riverdale. Miss Knight showed specimen of Aralia trifolia 
with aborted flowers in the axils of . extra leaves, from Hunt's Point. 
Miss Steele exhibited Sisymbrium alliaria from Flatbush, L. I. 
Mr. Hollick referred to the separation of sexes in Antennaria 
piantaginifoliay the male flowers always congregating in one group and 
the female in another, the two being seldom if ever united. 
Mr. Bicknell read a communication upon the differences between 
Carex Fennsylvanica and C varia, and some notes upon the time of 
flowering of other species. 
On motion it was ordered that the local herbarium of the late Mr. 
Leggett be purchased. 
Two corresponding members were elected, and four names were 
prepared for active membership. 
The regular meeting of the Torrey Club was held Tuesday even- 
^"g» June loth, at Columbia College. In the absence of the officers 
Mr. Schrenk was called to the chair and Dr. Britton acted as Secre- 
tary ; fifteen members were present. Four persons were elected 
active members, and one person a corresponding member. 
The Chairman of the Herbarium Committee stated that the local 
plants of the Leggett herbarium had been secured for the Club's 
herbarium. 
Mr. Bower exhibited many luxuriant fresh specimens of native 
plants from his Newark garden. 
The following field excursions were reported : 
M<^y iph, Todt Hill, Staten Island,— Frunus Americana; Ceras- 
^tum oblong i/olium j Viola pedata ; Clematis ochrolcuca— some of 
the plants having incised leaves ; Orchis spectabilis and Aphyllon 
unifloriun were collected. The Chairman requested members to 
notice the parasitism of the last-named plant, saying that his recent 
observations had confirmed his former ones of its constant attach- 
ment to some species of golden-rod. 
