22 THE MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



BOTANICAL SECTION. 



All but two of the fourteen papers on the progT.un of the botanical 

 section were presented, each being received with much interest by the 

 fair number in attendance. 



Dr. G. P. Burns' paper. ''Ecological Survey of Dead Lake, Huron 

 River Valley" was illustrated with profile maps in color and presented 

 an interesting subject in a manner showing much careful Avork. 



The paper on "Eegeneratiou of Root Tips after Splitting" by Miss Lura 

 Warner, was well presented, being illustrated with specimens and draw- 

 ings. Some discussion was raised as to there being true regeneration 

 in this case. 



Two other papers on regeneration were given, one on "Hypocotyl of 

 Linum," by Miss Mary E. Hedden ; the other on "The Epicotyl of Vicia 

 Faba and Pisum sativum" by Miss Annabel Clark. Both subjects were 

 illustrated with drawings and material and proved very interesting as 

 showing a remarkable ability on the part of these plants to regenerate 

 lost buds or to produce adventitious ones under certain conditions. 



Miss Julia Haynes presented the results of a series of experiments with 

 young potted })lants in determining the angle of deviation at which stems 

 show the strongest response to gravity. This also was illustrated with 

 plants and apjiaratus. 



A. W. Pierson discussed the occurrence in Michigan of an interesting 

 fungus belonging to the Hyphomycetes, Basisporiinii Gallarum Molliard, 

 which was found for the first time in this country and then on a new 

 host. 



Prof. C. A. Davis pointed out the cause of the difference between the 

 smooth and rough barked white oaks as being due to the presence of a 

 saprophytic bark fungus, Avhich induces the scaling of the outer layers of 

 the bark. 



The paper by F. A. Loew presented several arguments in proof of the 

 formation of species through variation as illustrated in the formation of 

 garden varieties whose differences are as great as those existing between 

 many accepted species of wild plants. 



Mr. S. Alexander showed several unusual and interesting plants from 

 near Birmingham. Thus far they have not been recognized by any pub- 

 lished descriptions and were suggested as being either hybrids or un- 

 de^cribed species. 



Dr. W. J. Beal briefl}^ explained the scope of the new flora of INIichigan, 

 Avhich he is revising, the number of s})ecies it is to contain and the classi- 

 fication to be followed. 



The relation of Mass Action and Phvsical Aflinitv to Toxicitv of solu- 

 tion was the title of a paper by Prof. J. B. Dandeno. His experiments 

 were made on corn and pea seedlings, using several acid and alkaline 

 solutions, it being found that the toxic effects of solution are influenced 

 by a mass of inert matter like pure quartz sand. 



Dr. Beal presented some of the features of extension work in agricul- 

 ture. Its inception was noted as being the farmers' institute which has 

 become a valuable means in extending the work of the Agricultural Col- 



