150 
tion in the general classification of the Dicotyledons. In 
this connection a better understanding of their internal rela- 
tionships would be desirable. The distribution of the family 
in widely scattered regions, such as Western North America, 
Southern South America, the Mediterranean Region, South 
Africa, and Australia, makes this question of special interest. 
Material and data have been accumulated, and work will be 
continued along the lines indicated. 
Project 2. The Classification of Dicotyledons 
Scope: 
A study of the floral structures supposedly primitive in various 
families, and the geographical distribution of the supposedly 
primitive genera compared with that of the families. 
Status: 
In such groups as the algae, ferns, and gymnosperms modern 
views of classification have gradually replaced the old pre- 
evolutionary systems. for the great group, the Dicotyledons, 
it is generally admitted that the old divisions, such as Apeta- 
lae, Polypetalae, Sympetalae, have no real natural basis. Yet 
at the same time other proposed arrangements have not be- 
come established upon sufficiently convincing bases to gain 
any very wide acceptance. Studies already made have re- 
lated largely to the comparative anatomy of flower structures 
and of flewer buds, especially of placentation and seeds; notes 
and drawings have accumulated along these lines. Papers 
have been presented at various times before the Torrey Bo- 
tanical Club and the Systematic Section of the Botanical So- 
ciety of America, and abstracts of these papers have been 
published in Torreya. My European trip in 1926 afforded 
opportunity for conferences on this subject with various sys- 
tematists, and for the study of plant material in numerous 
herbaria. 
Plans: 
To continue the investigation along the lines a 
— 
bove indicated. 
Project 3. Nomenclature 
Correspondence during the past four years (1923-26) with 
botanic gardens and other botanic centers in this country and 
