NOTES AND NEWS. ij 



official connection with the Association proper, but its membership is 

 drawn from the latter, and it is the outlet for a number of notes, dis- 

 cussions, etc., scarcely important enough to be presented before the 

 more dignified body. The list of papers was comparatively small 

 this year. The Club has elected as its officers for next year's meet- 

 ing, which will be held jointly with that of the Association, at 

 Columbus, Ohio, the following: President, Professor Byron D. 

 Halsted, of New Jersey; Vice-President, Dr. F. H. Knowlton, of 

 Washington, D. C, and Secretary, Mr. Stewardson Brown, of Phila- 

 delphia. 



It would obviously be impossible to give an account of even a 

 few of the papers read before these three bodies, but abstracts of 

 several of them may appear in later issues of this journal. Mention 

 should be made of the address of Dr. W. G. Farlow, the presiding 

 offiter of Section G, on the conception of species as modified by re- 

 cent investigations among the lower fungi. Dr. Farlow explained at 

 length how the characters upon which species are based among the 

 flowering plants must be materially different from those which would 

 be regarded as conclusive by the student of ininute organisms such 

 as bacteria. A lantern slide lecture by Mr. D. G. Fairchild on the 

 " Botanical Gardens of Buitenzorg, Java," and one of Mr. H. J. 

 Webber on "The Strand Flora of Florida," furnished a large audi- 

 ence with an evening's entertainment. 



In many respects the most important feature of the gathering 

 was to be found in the promotion of social intercourse among botanists 

 from widely diflierent States. Receptions given by the New England 

 Botanical Club and by Dr. Farlow afforded pleasant opportunities for 

 the formation of new acquaintanceships and the renewal of old ones, 

 and it is hoped that all may meet in Ohio next year under equally 

 delightful auspices. 



...NOTES fl/^D NEWS... 



Cuba still possesses 16,000,000 acres of valuable timber, none of 

 which is useful as coarse construction lumber, while nearly every foot 

 would be saleable in the United States and bring high prices. Cuban 

 mahogany and cedar are particularly well known in the United States. 

 The mahogany is very hard and shows a handsome grain, and is pre- 

 ferred by many to any other variety in common use. The moment 

 Spain drops the reins of government in Cuba there will be a move- 

 ment of forest products which will have a beneficial effect upon the 

 industry of both countries. — The Forester. 



