86 MICHIGAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



length given bv some one competent to discuss the principal topic of 

 the evening. The second number of the program is usually a short 

 paper or article prepared by some member of the club. This year we 

 have adopted the i)lan of having biographical sketches of noted botan- 

 ists presented for this feature of the program. These papers have been 

 found very useful in giving the members not only an idea of the great 

 men who have labored for the advancement of this branch of science, 

 but also a knowledge of the progress made in botanical research dur- 

 ing the past one hundred and tifty years. The remainder of the evening- 

 is taken up by observations by members present and often this is one of 

 the most valuable and interesting features of the i)rograni. The meet- 

 ings are somewhat informal and questions and discussions on the papers 

 presented are always expected. During the spring term the meeting 

 each alternate week is held in the botanic garden. 



An attempt has been made this year to have the subjects discussed in 

 our meetings, either of some economic importance or of such a nature 

 as would interest persons who do not already have an extensive 

 knowledge of botany. We do not aim to discuss deep scientific prob- 

 lems but rather talk about things which will get the average young 

 man or woman interested in botany and encourage him to observe 

 plant life for himself. 



Many of the subjects brought before the club this year have been 

 closely connected with important industries related either to agri- 

 culture or to the business of the florist. Under this head we have had 

 evenings devoted to the following topics: ''The Yeast Plant'' l)y Prof. 

 ^Marshall; "Dutch Bulbs"" by Mr. Guuson; "Types of New Fruits"" by 

 Prof. U. P. Hedrick; ''Sugar Beets" by Prof.'c. D. Smith; "Chicory" 

 by T. G. Phillips. Descriptions of travel and the flora of distant 

 regions have also been important parts of our program. Mr. Barlow 

 has given several interesting talks on the flora of Porto Rico. Prof. 

 Barrows spoke on the plant life of the Argentine Republic, and Prof. 

 Hedrick described the Alpine plants of Oregon and Washington. Con- 

 siderable attention has been given to parasitic fungi. At ditferent 

 times Mr. Longyear has talked about "Mushrooms and Puftballs"' and 

 ''The Slime Moulds." Some of the junior class have studied some 

 particular forms of fungi and the "Apple Rust*' and "Hollyhock Rust" 

 have been reported on. Among the miscellaneous sul)jects given were: 

 "The DisjK'rsal of Seeds"" bv Dr. Beal: "New :Mich'igan Plants"" bv 

 Prof. ^A'heeler; "Native Orchids"' bv :Mr. Skeels;. "Ferns" bv G-. M. 

 Bradford. Biographical sketches have been given of Charles Darwin, 

 Linncas, Engelnuinn, Dr. Watson Toi-r(\v. ]\Iicheaux. Dr. Vasey, and 

 Amos Eaton. An entire evening was devoted to the life and works of 

 Asa Gray. 



Perhaps from 1his brief outline of Ihe work of the Botanical Club, 

 a few suggestions may be obtained as to how such an organization 

 might be successful in other ])laces. especially in some of the other 

 colleges and high schools in the State. From my own previous experi- 

 ence in other places, I know that it is not difficult to get students 

 interested in such work and it would seem that in this way, there is 

 a large field in creating a i»opul;n' intei-est in the natural sciences. 



