April, 1901] Meetings of Biological Club. 105- 



MEETINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB. 



FKBBUARY MEETING. 



The meeting of the Biological Club, held in the Zoological lecture 

 room on the evening of February 4th, 1901, was presided over bj' the 

 president, Prof. Osborn, about thirty being present. 



Prof. Lazenby presented ''Remarks on Poisonous Plants." He 

 mentioned many of the poisons to which the poisonous properties of 

 various plants are due. Many cases of poisoning are caused by 

 poisonous fungi gathered with edible mushrooms, and greens 

 gathered by persons unacquainted with poisonous herbs. Stramo- 

 nium has been known to cause cases of poisoning by being gathered 

 in greens. The distribution of j)oisonous i^lants through the various 

 botanical orders was discussed, and the fact was revealed that a 

 large percentage of the orders contain such species. 



Prof. Ball spoke on "Collecting in Colorado." His remarks on 

 both fauna! and floral conditions are valuable to all, and especially 

 to those who collect in that western state. He emphasized the fact 

 that in collecting Hemiptera, general sweeping is not productive of 

 the best results. Many of the grasses which grow in that country 

 are at least partially recumbent, and for that reason the sweeping 

 net misses most of the desirable species. The species of insects 

 which feed on these grasses are best taken by searching about the 

 roots, or by lifting up the stems and scrutinizing them closely. 

 Many new or rare species of Hemiptera have been procured in num- 

 bers in this way. 



He exhibited many photographs and drawings which revealed 

 the picturesqueness of the country, something of the flora, and the 

 difficulties railroad companies experience in getting a track across 

 the mountains, and left with many j)resent a desire to see the re- 

 markable, scenery for themselves, 



MARCH MEETING. 



The Biological Club met in Townshend Hall on the evening of 

 March 4, 1901, the lantern being kindly furnished and operated by 

 Professor Hunt. 



The board of editors through its secretary, Mr. Griggs, I'ecom- 

 mended that the offer of Professor Kellerman to take one-half the 

 numbers of the first volume of the Ohio Naturalist for $125.00 be 

 accepted ; and that Professors Schaffner, Osborn and Kellerman be 

 appointed a committee to consider the disposition of exchanges. 



The report was unanimously accepted by the club. 



