58 The Ottawa Naturalist. [June 



Mr. Wm. Smeaton, B.A., Ottawa. 



Mr. A. D. Watson, Ottawa. 



Miss A. J. Wilson, Ottawa. 



Mr. A. Effingham Fleck, Vancouver, B.C. 



The President suggested the formation of branches or small 

 affiliated clubs in places near Ottawa such as Carp and Stitts- 

 ville. These branches would carry on local field work and could 

 be visited each year by the Club at some time when a joint field 

 day could be held. The Council approved of the plan and ap- 

 pointed Mr. J. W. Gibson to make preliminary arrangements 

 for the organization of such a branch at Carp. 



T. E. C. 



NOTES. 



DioscoREA viLLOSA. On page 184, Vol. XXII. of The 

 Ottawa Naturalist, Mr. W. A. Dent describes a delightful 

 retreat for the nature lover where Lake Huron has gradually 

 narrowed into the St. Clair River. 



Referring to the rarity of the slender twiner found there 

 popularly known as the Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) he invites 

 reports of its distribution. It is not rare in wooded flats along 

 the Thames River westward from London. There is a fine patch 

 of it in a thicket by the bank of the River within the city limits. 



J. Dearness, London, Ont. 



Snake Behavior. The observation which follows seems 

 worthy of presentation, if not as an unusual occurrence, yet as 

 one which may be new to many. My own opinion is that it 

 might be less unusual than it probably is, if the reception almost 

 invariably accorded to members of the snake fraternity did not 

 render it next to impossible. 



One morning last April, while strolling among the ruins of 

 an old building, I came upon a large garter snake, which was 

 making strenuous efforts to get out of my way. As soon as I 

 noticed it I stopped short, only a couple of feet away, and was 

 rather surprised to see it do the same. Evidently it was aiming 

 to avoid detection until I should pass on. With the object of 

 seeing what would follow, I waited motionless, and for a whole 

 minute or more nothing took place. Finally it began to venture 

 on escape, and in the most cautious way drew itself forward a 

 trifle, so slight as almost to escape notice. After another wait a 

 slightly bolder hitch forward was made. This procedure was 

 repeated many times with increasing confidence and more sub- 

 stantial progress each time, until it had got about four feet 

 away from me, when it glided quietly off among the weeds. 



