34 JOURNAL OF THE [July, 



ence was found, but neither series gave satisfactory formulas for 

 cellulose, so the matter is still unsettled. 



Under the microscope, it seems to be the second lamellae of 

 the tracheid, which is principally increased, in the thick walled 

 tracheids; and woods which do not have a portion of the annular 

 layer composed of the thick walled tracheids, do not have as 

 high specific gravity, or as much strength. 



THE FUNGUS AGARICUS CAMPANELLA, BATSCH. 



Pileus only three-eighths to one-half inch broad. The 

 mycelium is composed of very coarse dark threads. The 

 numerous decayed spots, from one-fourth to one inch in diameter 

 extending longitudinally in the wood, found in many of the rail- 

 road ties cut from live White Cedar trees, are exceptional, rarely 

 being found in other woods. How the decayed spots are started 

 and checked, for the time being, forms one of the many inter- 

 esting questions in the decay of woods. 



The young tree sends out an abundance of limbs near the 

 base and as the tree increases in height, the lower limbs become 

 shaded then die, and being so durable, do not quickly break off 

 close to the body of the tree, the latter soon forming a layer of 

 wood over the wound. The moisture which collects at the 

 junction of the limb and tree, germinates the sj)ores of its special 

 fungus, and starts the growth of a mycelium inducing a decay 

 in the upright cells, spreading laterally but little. This 

 continues until the growing wood closes up the orifice, by shutting 

 off the air supply, and further decay is arrested. 



In case the sapwood does not close the orifice, the decay 

 continues, the result being a hollow tree. 



PROCEEDINGS. 



Meeting of May 6th, 1887. 



The President, the Rev. J. L. Zabriskie, in the chair. 



Twenty-five persons present. 



The Corresponding Secretary read a letter from Dr. Henri 

 Van Heurck, of Antwerp, Belgium, expressing thanks for his 

 election to Honorary Membership in this Society. 



