Jan., 1906.] Meetings of the Biological Club. 45 ^ 



ing to note that one can occasionally find reference to this 

 curious habit in the recent textbooks. There are few subjects 

 better suited to arouse the interest and curiosity of the student. 



In 1903, 0. F. Cook described the striking self-pruning habit 

 of the temporary and permanent branches of Castilla, the 

 Central American rubber tree (Bull. No. 49, Bureau of Plant 

 Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agr.) Plates X and XI are fine repre- 

 sentations of self-pruned branches. Recently the writer was 

 enabled to examine such branches brought by Prof. Hine from 

 Guatemala. The development of temporary branches with a 

 special arrangement for their removal is of unusual interest 

 because of the economic value of these rubber trees. 



The following common trees and shrubs have also been studied 

 for self-pruning: 



Acer pseudo-platantis L. Self-prunes small twigs and buds 

 by means of a basal joint. 



Samhucus canadensis L. Unripe ends of the branches are 

 pruned ofi bv cleavage planes developed in the upper leaf nodes. 

 Sometimes the tips of all the branches of an individual are 

 self-pruned, making a very peculiar appearance in the winter. 



Sambucus pubens Mx. Self-prunes in the same way as the 

 preceding. 



Chionanthus virginica L. Self-prunes the leafy, fruiting 

 panicles like the hackberry and choke cherry. 



Diospyros virginiana L. This tree has an imperfect method 

 of self-pruning by which large numbers of small twigs are cut off. 



Lepargyraea canadensis (L.) Greene. Self-prunes small twigs 

 by means of basal joints. 



Ulmus alata Mx. This tree produces cleavage planes in 

 basal joints and in the annual nodes produced by the winter 

 buds, like the white and cork elms. 



MEETINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB. 



Orton Hall, Oct. 2, '05. 



The meeting was called to order by Pres. Hine. The minutes 

 of the last meeting were read and approved. On the motion of 

 Prof. Schaffner the president appointed Z. P. Metcalf secretary 

 pro tem. Pres. Hine then appointed Prof. Hambleton, Miss 

 Wilson and Miss Riddle as a committee to nominate officers for 

 the ensuing year. 



As this was the first meeting of the year it was given over to 

 reports by the members on their summer's work. 



Prof. Schaffner spent the major part of his summer in Kansas 

 studying the Myxomycetes. Some time was spent on the oaks 

 of eastern Kansas. Prof. Schaffner also reported the results of 



