205 
tain lines of which the general botanist can have only a limited knowledge. The 
Herbarium is now greatly in need of special work on Lichens, Algze, Ferns, Cyperaceze 
and other orders. 
It is peculiarly fitting and proper that the Government should encourage the ad- 
vancement of the Natural Sciences, and particularly by building up at the National 
Capital scientific collections where all the productions of the country may be properly 
represented and made accessible to the people for study. Such collections are a necessity 
of the age, and every country of the world which is advanced in intelligence makes its 
Capital the headquarters for information relating to its productions and resources. 
; I have the pleasure of stating to you that the Commissioner of Agriculture appre- 
ciates the scientific work of the Department, and I have confidence that an expression 
from you relative to the importance of extending the work of the Botanical Division 
will be useful in securing such help as is needed from Congress. 
On motion, Dr. George Vasey, Prof. W. G. Farlow and Prof. 
W. J. Beal were appointed a committee to consider the whole 
matter and report at a subsequent meeting of the Club. 
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12th. 
The session opened with further discussion regarding the Her- 
baria at Washington, in which several members participated. 
Dr. Vasey withdrew from the committee in favor of Mr. Wm. M. 
Canby, and Prof. Farlow withdrew in favor of Dr. Asa Gray. 
The committee, now consisting of Dr. Gray, W. J. Beal and Wm. 
M. Canby, was accepted by the meeting and on motion of Dr. N. 
L. Britton was given full power to act for the Club. 
Prof. E. W. Claypole read a paper ‘‘ On the Effect of Pollina- 
tion in the Production of Fruit,” citing many cases observed 
by him in which the fruit was developed without the ovules 
having been fertilized. 
Mr. A. A. Crozier read a paper on definitions of some botan- 
ical terms and asked for an expression of opinion as to the best 
understanding of the following: : 
Acetabuliform, Lanceolate, Androgynous, Dextrorse, Natant, 
Icosandrous and Isostemonous. 
Dr. N. L. Britton remarked on three species of Cyperus not 
included in his Preliminary List of the North American species, 
Viet 3G: longus, L. collected by Rugel at Austin, Texas, and 
communicated by Mr. I. C. Martindale; another from the same 
locality and obtained through the same sources which nearly 
answers the description of C. evaginatus, Beeckl., (Linnea, xxxvi, 
351); the third also collected by Rugel, in Florida, is identical 
