146 The Ohio Naturalist. 



to be new to science. He also collected several hybrid oaks in^ 

 Ohio, and some specimens of Crataegus, which Dr. Sargent of the 

 Arnold Arboretum pronounces new species. A number of species 

 have been added to the published state list of Ohio. 



Professor Mills gave a report of the opening of a prehistoric 

 mound in Ross County just outside the town of Chillicothe. A 

 number of skeletons and some very valuable material were obtained 

 for the collections of the Ohio Archaeological and Historical 

 Society. 



Professor »Schaffuer spent the summer in Kansas. He talked 

 interestingly of a visit he made to the Pottawattamie Indian 

 Reservation, and showed a series of photographs procured during 

 a short stay among these interesting people. Scientific investi- 

 gations were made on several subjects, among which the follow- 

 ing may be mentioned : " The Self-pruning of Trees ; " " The 

 Distribution of Cacti and Ferns in Kansas;" " The Maximum 

 Height of Plants," and "The Timber Conditions of Kansas." 



Professor Landacre gave observations on the coccoon-spinning 

 and egg-la3'ing of the common garden spider. 



Mr. Morse mentioned procuring a water snake with thirty-three 

 3'oung. Also that the blowing viper, Heterodon platyrhinus, has 

 .some peculiar habits while in confinement. One specimen if 

 teased Avould go through a series of contortions and eventually 

 come to rest lying on its back. If all was quiet then it would soon 

 take up its normal attitude, but if touched, or someone made a 

 noise it was likely to turn over on its back again. 



Professor Cook spoke regarding the advance of plants in rock- 

 quarries. Monocotyls and willows are mostly brought in by 

 water, while dicot^ds are more often brought in by wind. The 

 monocotyls are the first to appear as a usual thing. In the 

 particular quarry in mind sycamores and willows were the only 

 trees observed. 



Mr. Bridwell spent the summer in Kansas, where most of his 

 time was spent in collecting plants and insects. The dry weather 

 appeared to have its effect, as collecting was not as good as it had 

 been in former years. 



Professor Osborn showed several photographs of tracks made 

 b}' various animals on the sand of the lake beach at vSandusky. 

 Also other photographs of scientific interest, among which may 

 be mentioned the fine glacial grooves of Kelly's Island, and the 

 nest of a red-bird containing three yomig. 



A proposition to hold the meetings of the club in Orton Hall 

 for the coming year was accepted. 



The November meeting is the annual meeting, at which new 

 officers are elected, therefore a connnittce on nominations was 

 appointed. Professors vSchaffner, Prosser and Landacre were 

 appointed by the chair. 



JamEvS vS. Hine, Secretary. 



