Dec, 1900] Kellerman — Saw Brier. 27 



is given by these authors as a synonym of Smilax glauca, which 

 according' to my judgment is correct. 



Smilax Spinulosa an Extreme Form op S. Glauca.— The 

 material secured recently fortunately clears up the case unless I 

 misapprehend the purport of the above quotation. The " more 

 elongated leaves " spoken of may find their counterpart in the figures 

 on plate 4, and yet there can be no question thati they belong to 

 Smilax glauca. The twigs bearing thein were in many cases found 

 attached to the same underground stems that bore the broad leaves. 

 Even at a glance the identity of the specimens in the field covxld not 

 be mistaken; all their characters showed that they were really 

 Smilax glauca. In herbarium specimens that have been preserved 

 every gradation may be seen between the extremes sliown in the 

 plate. These specimens also show in some cases underground stems 

 that bear both leaves and twigs witli leaves of the broader form. As 

 a rule in the cornfields where the soil is not rich and crop-cultivation 

 has been diligent the narrower leaves (on sliorter stems) are com- 

 mon. In richer cornfields, and in meadows, especially if quite fertile, 

 the short stems are clothed with the broader leaves. Abundant 

 evidence was at hand to demonstrate that this form with " more 

 elongated leaves " (S.spinulosa) is directly connected with the form 

 called S. glauca by the taxonomists. Its peculiarities are doubtless 

 referable to the special environment; in no case could these appar- 

 ently aberrant specimens be called a specific or even varietal form. 



Explanation of Plate 4. — Smilax glauca. Figure 1: Eight specimens of tubers repro- 

 duced from photographs and much reduced. Fig. 2. Twigs ( 1-6) bearing leaves of varying 

 shapes also separate leaves ( 7-56 ) illustrating variation in shape and size. 



MEETINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB. 



October 1st, 1900, Botanical Hall. 



This evening was spent in the giving of reports on work done 

 during the summer vacation. Osborn, Mills, Griggs, Tyler, Miss 

 Dufour, Schaffner and Hine gave reports. Seven names were pro- 

 posed for membership. 



The motion by Professor Osborn to hold the meetings of the 

 current year in Biological Hall was carried. 



Hine, Morse and Miss Dufour were appointed a nominating 

 committee to select officers for the year. 



November 5th, 1900. 



Members assembled in Biological Hall. President Schaffner 

 called the meeting to order. Officers were elected as follows: 

 Osborn president, Tyler vice-president, Hine secretary. 



Long, Wyman, Ball, Hambleton and Dunlap were elected to 

 membership. 



