296 . proceedings: biological society 



The chief groups of the sorghums are Broomcorn, Sorgo, Kaohang, 

 Kafir, Shalhi, Durra, and Milo. Keys were given showing the relation 

 of the varieties of the Kafir group and of the Durra-Milo group. 



F. V. Rand: The Shaw aquatic gardens (with lantern). The Shaw 

 Aquatic Gardens, near Washington, were started several years ago as a 

 matter of curiosity and recreation. Beginning with a half-dozen 

 roots of the native white waterlily set in a little dug-out pond in the 

 swamps of the Anacostia River the gardens have increased in size until 

 there are over five acres under water. In these ponds are grown nearly 

 all varieties of water plants that will live in our climate. They are sold 

 all over the United States and even in the Hawaiian Islands. The 

 business has been an artistic and financial success from the start; 

 but has not been without its difficulties. Turtles, muskrats, and 

 various insects offer each their special brand of tribulation. The 

 biology and successful control of a serious fungus disease of pond lilies 

 (caused by Helicosporium 7iymphaeariwi n. sp.) have been worked 

 out by the writer; and a fungous leaf spot of Egyptian lotus (caused 

 by an Alternaria) is under study. 



Following Mr. Rand's paper, Mrs. Fowler, the Manager of the 

 Shaw Gardens, invited the members of the Society to visit the gardens 

 and pointed out that June is one of the best times to inspect them. 



H. N. ViNALL, Corresponding Secretary. 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



The 581st regular meeting of the Society was held in the Assembly 

 Hall of the Cosmos Club, Saturday, March 9, 1918; called to order at 

 8 p.m. by President Rose; 30 persons present. 



On recommendation of the Council Miss E. E. Stevenson was elected 

 to membership. 



Two informal communications were presented: 



T. S. Palmer made remarks on the systematic feeding of quail in the 

 city of W^ashington during the past winter. A census of these birds 

 showed 60 coveys with a total of 1235 individuals. Discussed by Gen. 

 T. E. W^iLcox.' 



R. W. Shufeldt showed lantern slide X-raj^ picture of the double- 

 headed tortoise exhibited at the previous meeting of the Society. 

 Major Shufeldt also exhibited two living specimens of the whip-tailed 

 scorpion, Thelyphonus giganteus, collected by Mr. Nelson R. Wood, at 

 Auburndale, Florida. Reference was made to its geographic distribu- 

 tion, Florida and West Indies, its habits in capitivity, its structure, 

 and its systematic position. Its popular names were stated to be vine- 

 gerone, vinaigner, mulekiller, and vinegar maker. 



The regular program consisted of three communications: 



John T. Zimmer: An intensive feeding habit i?i young herons. Read 

 by the Recording Secretary in the author's absence in New Guinea. 

 This note will appear in full in the Proceedings of the Society. It was 

 discussed b}- Dr. T. S. Palmer and Alex. Wetmore. 



