igo4] A Misplaced Rainbow. i95 



firs ot the coast also present a peculiarity in that their gigantic 

 trunks have a small bushy top and a comparatively small root 

 system. This shows again that the wind force is slight. 



The fall blooming oi such spring flowers as strawberry, 

 hepatica, and the prairie anemone, was again warmly discussed. 

 One view advanced was that these plants, after a period of rest 

 due to a drought some time duiing the summer, and having their 

 buds ready, were forced to flower by the recurrence of spring con- 

 ditions in the autumn. Mr. Eifrig stated that in Cumberland Co., 

 Maryland, he had observed that the fall always produced such 

 flowers no matter whether the preceding season were wet or dry. 



The tact that there were no acorns in this region this yenr 

 was explained by Mr. W. T. Macoun as due to the frost which 

 occurred early in May and killed the flowers. 



Mr. Clarke brought up the question of the pendent position 

 of the pods of the locust. Prof. Macoun stated that this was 

 characteristic ot the pods of the locust family. In the cress 

 family, however, the pods usually d» not hang down but stand 

 ereci. This erect position of the pods in the cress family would 

 facilitate the escape of the seeds from the base of the pod which 

 opens before the top. The weight of the pod on the locust, as 

 compared with the strength of the peduncle bearing it, may decide 

 mechanically what position the pod assumes. 



The relation of the colors of flowers to their structure was 

 briefly discussed, demonstrating the divergence of opinion among 

 the members on this subject. 



D. A. C. 



A MISPLACED RAINBOW. 



The afternoon of June 2nd, 1903, was bright and pleasant at 

 Innisfail, Alberta ; above, there was a varying number of fleecy 

 white clouds, with a good deal of blue sky exposed between. 

 While driving towards the town about 5.30 p.m , a strange bird- 

 song attracted my attention, and a little observation showed that 

 the singer was high up on the wing. On beginning to search for 



