284 
In addition to the paper printed in full above, the author 
showed specimens of Oxoclea sensibilts, var. obtustlobata, illustrat- 
ing a peculiar adaptation in the fertile fronds that succeed, in time 
of appearance, sterile fronds that have been cut orinjured. These 
fertile fronds show a development of foliar surface abnormai to 
fronds of uninjured plants, and open out upon first arising from the 
root-stock, evidently to supply chlorophyll bearing tissue to per- 
form the necessary work of assimilation. The paper was dis- 
cussed by M. B. Waite, who inquired if the peculiar variety of 
Polypodium vulgare might not bea hybrid. The author thought 
not, as he had found all gradations of variation from the typical 
P. vulgare. 
The afternoon session was opened by the report of the Com- 
mittee on an Excursion to the shore of Lake Ontario. The 
committee decided it impracticable to accept the invitation of the 
local committee. 
The following papers were presented : 
4. “Symbiotic Growths in the Roots of Ranunculacew,” by 
F. B. Maxwell (presented by W. R. Dudley). 
This was a preliminary paper on the occurrence of fungal 
hyphe in the cortex of the roots of dry land species of Ranun- 
culus, Anemone, Clematis and other genera. 
Discussion was opened by Dr. Beal, who inquired if the my- 
celium of the fungus was found at or near the tip of the grow- 
ing roots of the plants; to which the author replied that these 
fungal hyphe were found within one to two centimetres of the 
root-tip. Prof. Kellerman asked if any exterior signs of the pres- 
ence of fungus could be seen; to which Maxwell replied that to 
all external appearances the roots were perfectly healthy and 
normal in all respects. Prof. Dudley mentioned the fact that work 
upon the fungus had been secondary to a study of the anatomy 
of the roots, and had been suggested by the presence of similar 
fungous bodies in the roots of Orchidaceze, and expressed the 
‘opinion that these fungi, growing in symbiotic relations with the 
roots of plants, might be much more frequent than had been SUP- 
posed. Dr. Rusby inquired if all plants of a species were attacked 
alike, to which the author replied in the negative. Dr. Britton 
brought out the fact thatall, or nearly all, roots ofa single plant wae 
