10 Journal of the Mitchell Society [July 



The writer found a Spirogyra which follows the general description 

 of Quadrata, with the exception of reproduction. This frequently oc- 

 cured as cross conjugation, the zygotes being in such a position that it 

 could not possibly be a combination of lateral and scalariform con- 

 jugation. 



This occurrence would tend to prove that the filaments of some 

 Spirogyra at least are truly bisexual, and that the transition from the 

 bisexual to the unisexual occurred in the family of Spirog3Ta. 



ABNORMAL SPECIMENS OF TARAXACUM 



S. W. GEISKR 



This paper notes the occurrence of a clump of dandelions at a 

 point 70 feet e. n. e. of the n. e. corner of Cox Hall, on the Campus 

 of Guilford College. Seven specimens showed well fasciation of the 

 flower-stipes. The multiple-headed character was not so pronounced 

 as noted by Kirsch (1909:) only two or three stipes in each of the 

 specimens were united. The flower heads were either slightly con- 

 fluent or independent. At the point of collection, the soil was un- 

 usually infertile, and the occurrence suggests Nicuwland's ('09) con- 

 clusion that the abnormality is due to a physiological change due to un- 

 favorable soil conditions, and to age. Bowditch ('09) has also noted 

 fasciation of the dandelion (T. off.) in an unfavorable environment. 

 Diligent search failed to find abnormal specimens outside of the 

 local circumscribed area. 



For the following papers no abstracts have been received. 



Tlie Present Status of the Martian Controversy — A. H. Patterson. 



Filose Phenomena in Pieces of Gonads of a Cubomedusa — H. V. 

 Wilson. 



More Fossil Plants from the Moncure Shales (32 specimens) — 

 Collier Cbob. 



Cow Pea Weevil— Z. P. Metcalf. 



Gossypol, the Toxic Substance of Cottonseed Aleal — \V. A. Withers 

 and F. E. Carruth. 



The Influence of Salt Solution on the Development of the Frog 

 Egg — W. C. George. 



Experimental Alteration in the Direction of Growth of a Sponge — 

 H. V. Wilson. 



The Importance of Humidity in Health and the Arts (with demon- 

 stration of a new form of Humidifier of North Carolina make) — A. 

 H. Patterson. 



Simplifying our Methods of Teaching Cell Division — Z. P. Metcalf. 



