1914] The Ottawa Naturalist. 79 



of closely allied species, are subject to attack by numerous gall 

 midges, indicating an extremely close relation between the 

 infested plant and the insect dependent thereupon. The bud- 

 inhabiting gall midges are potentially the most destructive, and, 

 owing to the known prolificacy of certain gall midges, it is to be 

 expected that injuries by species referable to this group will 

 become more, rather than less, apparent with the advance of 

 time. 



EXCURSIONS. 



The second excursion of the season was held on the after- 

 noon of Saturday, May 9th, the locality visited being the north 

 shore of the Ottawa River above the Chaudiere Falls. The rock 

 formations were rich in fossils; the trees and general vegetation, 

 at this season, were assuming their spring verdure, and the pools 

 by the banks of the river contained a variety of forms of life. 

 A large attendance of members was present and much interest- 

 ing material was examined and collected. The President, 

 Mr. Arthur Gibson, was in charge of the party. At the close of 

 the outing addresses were delivered at the side of a grassy knoll 

 close to the river, and the first leader called upon to speak 

 was Mr. Halkett, of the zoological branch. Specimens of 

 two kinds of small crustaceans — one an amphipod (Gammarus) 

 and the other an isopod {Asellus aqttaticns), as well as several 

 kinds of fresh water pulmonate gastropod mollusks were passed 

 around and points explained regarding their life-habits. 



Miss Fyles spoke of the plants which had been observed or 

 collected. Several specimens of Geaster hygrometricus were found. 

 It was pointed out that the Geasters were distinguished from the 

 puffballs by the outer coat, which breaks and spreads out in the 

 form of a star, whence the name Earth-star. This odd and 

 interesting fungus is very sensitive of moisture, spreading out 

 its star-like coat in wet weather and folding in its points when 

 the atmosphere is dry. Miss Fyles also gave an interesting 

 account of the life-history of the Horse-tails (Equisetum spp.)and 

 of many other plants which were handed to her to name. 



A very interesting account of the herbs used by the Iroquois 

 medicine men was given by Mr. Waugh, a leader of the archaeo- 

 logical branch, the substance of which he has since supplied in 

 manuscript notes, which, given in his own words, are as 

 follows : — 



"A large number of animal and vegetable materials are used 

 in the Iroquois medicines. Although many of the herbal or 

 vegetable preparations are most effective from a therapeutic 

 standpoint, a great deal of reliance is placed in sympathetic 



