32 
learn that 337 species of flowering plants have been observed in 
Switzerland, at altitudes from 8,000 to 13,000 ft.; twelve of these 
occur above 12,000 ft. Monte Rosa has the richest Nival flora, 
but the majority of the species are widely distributed through 
the Alps. Prof. Heer concluded that about one-half of the 
plants of the Nival region came from the Arctic zone in the 
Glacial Period, by way of Scandinavia. The Endemic flora of the 
Nival region arose in the Alps, and a principal centre of its for- 
mation seems to have been the Monte Rosa chain. 
Proceedings of the Club. 
The regular monthly meeting was held Feb. gth, at Columbia 
College, the President in the chair. After the reading of the 
minutes, Dr. Newberry gave an account of the fossil flora of the 
cretaceous clays of New Jersey, showing drawings and specimens 
of many of the species recently found. 
It was resolved that Article XII of the Constitution be 
amended to read: ‘The Club shalbconsist of active, corresponding 
and honorary members,’ and that the following be added: 
“Honorary members may be chosen from botanists who have 
distinguished themselves by valuable original investigations, and 
shall be limited in number to five.” 
Dr. Gustavus Ramsperger was elected an active member, and 
Prof. J.T. Rothrock and Prof. Leo Lesquereux corresponding 
members. 
Mr. Southwick presented the club with a specimen of Rhus 
typhina having beautifully pinnate-pinnatifid leaves. 
P. H. Dudley exhibited branches of Selaginella denticulata, 
the lower portions of which had been killed by the growing my- 
celium of Polyporus Rodmantit, (?) saying that the fluid secreted 
by it was sufficient to penetrate the epidermis of the living 
branches, causing their death and ultimate decay. When the 
rootlets beyond the place of contact of the mycelium had not 
reached the ground, entire branches were destroyed. The 
mycelium secretes a fluid giving an acid reaction, which softens 
the fibres of wood, permitting the penetration of the delicate — 
filaments of the mycelium. Wood so attacked, if allowed to 
dry, cracks and falls to pieces with. the so-called “dry rot.” 
Treating the mycelium of this fungus with molybdate of am- 
monia, abundant crystals of ammonium phosphomolybdate were 
obtained, showing the presence of phosphorus compounds, which 
were found to be characteristic of a number of fungi which 
induce decay in wood. Accompanying the above were vast 
_ numbers of bacteria, which also assisted in the decomposition. 
