108 
The stem proper (main axis) all dies away very soon, not only 
between the inflorescences, but in the masses of inflorescence also. 
The flowering stems soon establish direct structural relations with 
the root, and thus with the host-plant. Of other species thus far 
examined, Cuscuta arvensis does not prqduce adventitious inflores- 
cence, while C. chlorocarpa and C, Gronovii produce an abundance 
of both the normal and the adventitious flower-clusters, and in both 
cases the flowers, fruits and seeds appear to be well developed. 
" On the Appearance of the Relation of Ovary and Perianth in 
the Development of Dicotyledons/' by John M. Coulter. An ex- 
.amln^tion of many species of dicotyledons (belonging to the orders 
Ranunculaceae, Leguminosse, Rosaceae, Saxifragaceae, Onagracese, 
Rubiace^, Umbelliferse, Compositae, Borraginaceae, Scrophulariace^ 
and Labiatae) shows that in every case the first character recognized 
in the development of the flower is that of interior or superior ovary, 
and that a most simple grouping of the orders- upon that basis is 
possible. Grouping the dicotyledons upon this basis results some- 
what as follows: The Compositae take place at the. head of the list, 
then near them come the Umbelliferae, Rubiacese, etc., etc., The 
intermediate orders which have ijiferior and superior ovaries, as the 
Rosaceae and Saxifrageceae, would occupy a proper intermediate 
position, and finally those with superior ovary or ovaries only, as 
the Scrophulariacae, Labiate, Leguminosae, etc., would be arrayed 
in a descending series. 
" The Development of the Prothallium in Ferns," by Douglass H. 
Campbell. The paper gave the details of many observations upon 
the development of the prothallia of ferns, accompanied with figures 
of the various stages. 
*' Notes upon some Injurious Fungi of Californa," by William G. 
Farlow. The author observed Peronospora Hyoscyami, D. By., grow- 
mg abundantly upon Nicoliana glauca, a shrubby plant, native of 
Buenos Ayres, which is now common in Northern Mexico and South- 
ern California. As the shrub is a near relative of the cultivated 
tobacco, Nicotiana Tabacum, there is danger that the parasite may 
be transferred from the former to the latter. 
The hollyhocks of California are affected by a rust (Pnccinia of 
some species) which was at first supposed to be identical with the holly- 
hock disease of Europe (Puccinia malvacearum). It is, however, 
entirely distinct, being the same species as that which occurs upon 
species of Malvasirum in some of the Western States. There is 
danger that this may become transferred to the cotton-plant. 
"A new Chromogenous Bacillus;' by D, E. Salmon and Thomas 
Smith, A Bacillus, named B. luteus suis, was found in the pericar- 
dial effusion of hogs affected with swine plague. 
The Botanical Club of the A, A. A, ^.— About seventy members 
of the Association registered themselves as botanists at the Ann Arbor 
meeting. Every member of the club wore a yellow ribbon in addi- 
tion to the regular association badge. Six sessions of the club were 
held in the university buildings, one of them occuring in the botan- 
ical laboratory. 
During the first session a committee was appointed to take mto 
