K)12.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 149 



Following the close of the Civil War and the rush of settlers to the 

 West, there came an imperative demand for a better knowledge of 

 the western country, which resulted in the organization of the U. S. 

 ( reological Survey in 1879. The geographical work of the Survey- 

 as illustrated by excellent topographical maps on various scales, and 

 our contribution to the great International Map of the World — was 

 referred to. 



The availability of all this material at a nominal cost has done much 

 to advance geographical knowledge. Other official agencies which 

 assisted were: The General Land Office, which issues numerous 

 maps; the Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department, which 

 publishes charts of foreign coasts and harbors, and the Map Collec- 

 tion of the Library of Congress at Washington, which was described 

 as the largest in this country. 



Witmer Stone, A.M.: "Fauna and Flora of the New Jersey Pine 

 Barrens." Illustrated by beautiful lantern pictures. 



Leisure time during the past fifteen years had been occupied in 

 collecting data upon the distribution of animal and plant life in the 

 coastal plain of New Jersey. There was a marked difference in the 

 fauna and flora of western and central New Jersey south of the fall 

 line, as compared with the Pine Barren area, and east of the 

 latter there existed a narrow strip bordering the maritime marshes 

 and recurring on the coast island, which possessed the same type of 

 plant and animal life as characterized west Jersey. The Cape May 

 peninsula belonged also mainly to this region, the Pine Barren 

 elements being only local. 



The historic associations of the Pine Barrens were considered, and 

 the plants discovered there by Bartram, Pursh, Rafinesque and 

 Nuttall were enumerated. In considering the change of conditions 

 in the region, stress was laid upon the constant increase in the extent 

 of cultivated cranberry bogs and the injurious effect of the winter 

 flooding upon various rare plants which inhabit the native bogs. 

 Abama americana, and Tofieldia racemosa were two species which 

 were seriously threatened in this way. Mr. Clifford Pinchot's theory 

 in regard to the origin of the stunted forest of the elevated region 

 known as the plains was endorsed. No difference could be detected 

 in the character of the soil of this region and other parts of the Pine 

 Barrens except in the greater coarseness of the sand and gravel, and 

 repeated forest fires seemed to have kept down the tree growth when 

 once the stunted condition had been produced. 



Numerous lantern slides illustrating the scenery and characteristic 

 birds and plants were exhibited showing the transition experienced 

 in crossing the coastal plain from Philadelphia to the coast. 



In the evening one hundred and sixty members, delegates, and 

 guests partook of an enjoyable banquet in the remodelled library 

 hall. Dr. Conklin acted as toastmaster and responses were made 



