xxii Proceedings of the Botanical Society of 



of Ventnor, N. J." He contrasted the ecological rela- 

 tions of the shore flora, the inland flora and that of the 

 swamps. 



Professor Macfarlane read a letter recently received from 

 Mr. R. E. B. McKenney, in which a graphic account was 

 given of the vegetation round Santa Anna, Cal. ; also one 

 from Mr. George Wieland, announcing his discovery of fossil 

 Cycads with monoecious flowers from the Wyoming beds. He 

 likewise exhibited male and female specimens in flower of the 

 Sago Palm. 



Mr. Henry Conard, M. A., exhibited some ripe fruits of the 

 Ginkgo, and showed from chemical tests that butyric ether 

 could be obtained from them. 



The Secretary announced that through the kind interest of 

 Provost Harrison, a special room had been arranged as a 

 botanical library and reading-room, which could be used by 

 members of the society. 



November 2- Dr. Miller in the chair. Dr. Emily G. Hunt 

 spoke on "The Natural History of Palms." Their compara- 

 tive morphology, modes of pollination, economic value and 

 geographical distribution were dealt with. The lecture was 

 illustrated by a large series of lantern slides. 



Dr. Macfarlane then drew attention to " Recent Studies on 

 the Sago Palms and their Allies." He stated that the group 

 probably originated during the coal period, and was linked 

 with the ferns by a series of transition tj-pes now known as 

 the Cycadofilices. Proof in part of their antiquity was fur- 

 nished by their world-wide distribution at the present day. In 

 illustration numerous specimens from the University garden 

 of Cycas, Zamia, Encephalartos, Ceratozainia, Macrozaniia, 

 Bowenia, Stangeria and Dioon were exhibited and shortly 

 described. The formation of motile spermatozords in Cycas 

 and Zamia was spoken of, as added proof of their relation to 

 the Filicineae. 



