1 Proceedings of the Botanical Society of 



pollen tube, the development of the spermatozoids and of 

 the archegonia in Ginkgo. The periods at which the indu- 

 sium, macrospore, prothallus and archegonia mature in the 

 neighborhood of Philadelphia were given, and the early 

 stages and formation of the embryo were traced. 



January j, ipo2. Miss Therese Coles read a paper on 

 "Vallambrosa and its School of Forestry." Located about 

 eight miles from Florence, in what was originally a Bene- 

 dictine monastery, it was established in 1869. The teaching 

 is concerned more with the practice rather than the science 

 of forestry, and some forty-two students were then in 

 attendance ; the library seemed to be unusually fine. 



Dr. Harshberger exhibited and described numerous 

 species of Rhipsalis from the University Garden, including 

 twelve distinct forms recently received by the director as an 

 exchange from the Jardin des Plantes. The species shown 

 were mainly from the region of the Amazon River, where 

 they were epiphytic on trees. After a description of the 

 species, he indicated the affinities of Rhipsalis with other 

 genera of the Cactacese. 



Dr. H. S. Conard exhibited and described some striking 

 plants of Nephrolepsis exaltata recently received from Dr. 

 Macfarlane's party, then in South Florida, and bearing 

 fronds about ten feet in length. He also exhibited fruiting 

 spikes of Hedychium, bearing the seeds, each surrounded by 

 a rich scarlet aril. 



Owing to the absence of several members of the Council 

 in Florida, the Report of the Treasurer and the annual elec- 

 tion of officers were held over till the February meeting. 



January ip. Dr. Miller in the chair. 



Mr. Roberts Le Boutillier was unanimously elected an 

 honorary life member. 



Miss E. O. Abbot announced that the Bartram Library 

 Committee had arranged for a lecture by Professor Maxwell 

 Sommerville in Houston Hall, on January 29th, the subject 

 being "The Symbolic Flowers of Buddhism." The pro- 



