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The Ottawa Naturalist. [April 



so that they could be studies at all stag'es of their growth. Dr. 

 Guillet has continued his phenolog"ical observations, and has also 

 made a study of the character of the past two springs as affecting- 

 the growth of plants. The studies of Mr. D. A. Campbell in the 

 morphology of plants have also been of much value. 



The regular fortnightly meetings of the Botanical Branch 

 held at the homes of the members have proved a great success. 

 These meetings were inaugurated by Dr. James Fletcher, the first 

 one being held at his house on February 5th, 1903. The object 

 of starting them was to keep up and promote an interest in botany 

 among the members, and give an opportunity for the reading of 

 notes and short papers on botanical subjects, and to ha\e a 

 general discussion on any matter which might be brought up by 

 the members. Two meetings were held last year and fourteen 

 this year, making sixteen in all, with an attendance of from ten to 

 thirteen at each meeting. Many interesting subjects were dis- 

 cussed and much information was given. Full reports of nearly 

 all of the meetings have been printed in The Ottawa Naturalist. 

 The following are some of the more important topics discussed. 

 The advisability of sub-dividing the Ottawa district into four 

 areas ; What is Nature Study ? ; Canadian violets ; Reasons for 

 the " rosette" arrangements of leaves at the base of some plants 

 at a certain period of their growth ; Weeds and the causes that 

 lead to their dispersion ; Native plants which compare favorably 

 in appearance and succeed as well as Exotic plants : How to 

 know the edible and poisonous fungi ; How to study ferns ; 

 Relationship between weather and plant growth — a comparative 

 study of the last two springs ; Besides these many other subjects 

 were discussed. 



The leaders of the Geological Branch report that no system- 

 atic work has been carried on during the past year in the vicinity 

 of Ottawa. Leaders in this branch, however, attended the excur- 

 sions and assisted as far as possible in explaining the Geological 

 problems presented by the different localities visited. It was noted 

 with pleasure that a larger number than formerly joined the Geo- 

 logical section on these occasions. 



The members of the Entomological Branch, although few in 

 number, have been very active during the past year. The regular 



