107 , 
account of the progress of the work of preparing this much needed 
index, which is based on Bentham and Hooker’s Genera Planta- 
rum. 
It was begun five years ago, shortly after the death of Charles 
Darwin, who bequeathed a sum for the purpose of supplying a 
want which he had long felt. 
Die naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien nebst ihren Gattungen und 
wichtigeren Arten. The first part of this valuable publication is 
written by O. Drude and devoted to the palms. It is fully and 
handsomely illustrated. Much space is given to the description 
of anatomy and morphology, and in the systematic portion we 
find much useful information regarding the economic products 
of these plants. The past history of each genus of which fossil 
representations have been found is given. The work is edited by 
Professors Engler and Prantl, and published at a remarkably low 
price by Engelmann, in Leipzig. 
Proceedings of the Club. 
The regular monthly meeting was held at Columbia College, 
on April 12th, twenty-two persons present, the Vice-President 
in the Chair. 
Hon. J. D. Cox, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Romaine B. Hough, 
of Lowville, N. Y.; Rev. R. D. Nevins, of Olympia, Washing- 
ton, and Professor H. L. Smith, of Geneva, N. Y., were elected 
Corresponding Members. 
The following members were appointed to act as a Field Com- 
mittee for the season:—J. F. Poggenburg, Miss Alice B. Rich 
and N. L. Britton. 
Attention was called to the proposed meeting of the Ameri- 
can Association for the Advancement of Science in N. Y., Aug. 
roth, and the President was requested to appoint a committee 
to represent the Club at the meeting of delegates from the 
several societies of the city and vicinity to be held on April 29th. 
The President appointed Judge Addison Brown, Dr. T. F. Allen, 
Mr. F. J. H. Merrill, Mrs. N. L. Britton and Miss Winifred 
Edgerton, Ph.D., such committee. 
Mrs. Britton read a communication from Dr. Thos. F. Wood, 
