140 The Ottawa Naturalist. [Jan. 



sciences, their general import and unification of present 



knowledge concerning them. A general introduction to 



science and to one view of philosophy). 

 The Ways of Planets, by M. E. Martin. (Discusses in a simple, 



informal manner the origin, position and characteristics 



of the various planets). 

 The Solar System A Study of Recent Observations, by C. L, 



Poor. ("Not too obstruse, thoroughly entertaining and 



timely" Nation). 

 Darwinism and Human Life, by J. A. Thomson. ("Authoritative, 



interesting and easily comprehended statement of the history 



and present status of evolution" A.L.A.) 

 The Origin and Nature of Life, by B. Moore. (Home University 



Series. Clear and concise statement of the problem from 



the chemical point of view" A.L.A.) 

 College Zoologv, by R. W. Hegner. (An excellent text designed 



for beginning college students). 

 Agriculture, by W. Somerville. (Makes the results of laboratory 



work at the university accessible to the practical farmer). 



MEETINGS OF THE BOTANICAL BRANCH. 



December 6th, 1913, at the home of Mr. R. B. Whyte, the 

 following members being present: R. B. Whvte, Dr. M. O. Malte, 

 G. H. Clark, L. H. Newman, J. M. Macoun, N. Criddle, W. T. 

 Macoun, C. J. Tulley, A. E. Attwood and J. R. Fryer. 



In response to the call for botanical specimens from members 

 Mr. Criddle exhibited an interesting specimen of the genus 

 Neslia (Ball Mustard) and one of the genus Setaria (Foxtail 

 Grass), on the latter of which was an abnormal foliaceous 

 development of the bracts. Mr. Newman exhibited a sample of 

 wheat which took the world's prize at Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 

 October, 1913. Mr. W. T. Macoun showed a couple of Peli nuts 

 which were characterized by an exceedingly hard shell. They 

 were somewhat larger than ordinary nutmegs and more angular 

 in shape. 



Dr. M. O. Malte spoke on "Some Results of the Summer's 

 Work in Botany" and dealt especially with the species Mentha, 

 Viola and Juncus. Specimens of true Mentha arvensis L., 

 collected by 'him in Nova Scotia, were shown and the statement 

 made that on account of the characters of the calyx the true 

 M. arvensis L. can scarcelv be grouped with other Canadian 

 species of Mentha now regarded as varieties of it. Dr. Malte 

 was of the opinion that the Menthas which now are called 

 M. arvensis L., var. canadensis (L), Briquet, and var. hinata 

 Piper, are specifically distinct from M. arvensis, and furthermore, 



