214 proceedings: botanical society 



(Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1883). Contrary to general anatomical and 

 icthyological statements concerning the reproductive oigans of Sal- 

 monidae, the ova cannot naturally "fall into the abdominal cavity," 

 and, if they in any way gain access to it, they can not be extruded. 

 To those familiar with fish-cultural practices as respects Salmonidae 

 the application of these facts is obvious. 



Mr. Kendall's communication was illustrated by lantern slides of the 

 structures described. The paper was discussed by R. W. Shufeldt. 



M. W. Lyon, Jr., Recording Secretary. 



BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



The 126th regular meeting of the Society was held in the White 

 Parlor of the New Ebbitt Hotel at 8.15 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 

 1918. Mr. Walter T. Swingle presided. Fifty-one members and 

 45 guests were present. Mr. T. H. Kearney, the retiring president, 

 delivered an address on Plant life on saline soils. (See this Journal 8: 

 109. 1918.) Following the address, there was dancing in the Crystal 

 Dining Room. 



The 127th regular meeting of the Society was held at the Cosmos 

 Club at 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 1918. There were 50 members 

 and 4 guests present. L. B. Scott and Sidney F. Blake were elected 

 to membership. The following scientific program was given: 



D. N. Shoemaker: The American species of the genus Phaseolus (with 

 lantern). The American species of "beans" cultivated are: (1) Phaseo- 

 lus vulgaris, our common bean; (2) Phaseolus lunatus, the Lima bean; 

 (3) Phaseolus coccineus, the scarlet runner, and (4) Phaseolus acutifolius, 

 var. latifolius, the tepary bean. 



Phaseolus vulgaris is much richer in varieties than the other species, 

 the number reaching at least one thousand. These do not fall into well- 

 defined groups, and their classification is not readily made. The most 

 obvious division is into true dwarfs, or plants of determinate growth, 

 and trailers, or plants of indeterminate growth. . 



Phaseolus lunatus is rich in varieties, which may be grouped as: (1) 

 Sieva forms, including the small flat Limas, — a group distinct as to 

 vegetative characters as well; (2) large Limas, which may be further 

 divided into large flat and large round or turgid. All three forms of 

 Lima beans occur with determinate and indeterminate growth. 



Phaseolus coccineus, as grown in the United States, does not have a 

 large range of varieties, and may best be classified on color of ripe seeds. 



Phaseolus acutifolius has few varieties, which can best be divided on 

 seed color. 



The varieties of the first species are each confined in their cultural 

 requirements to definable regions. These regions are roughly as fol- 

 lows: (1) The eastern and northern region, extending from New England 

 to Idaho, and south along the Appalachian Mountains to the Georgia 

 border. White pea, White medium. White Marrow, White Kidney, and 

 Red Kidney being the main types grown here; (2) the Pacific Coast 

 region, mainly in CaHfornia, the varieties being small California Whites 



