oy 
ferns; and Mr. Charles Schweinfurth of the Ames Botanical Lab- 
oratory, the Orchidaceae. It is anticipated that a detailed account 
will be published some time during 1931. 
The plants collected by me in Tennessee and Kentucky during 
the past summer are being studied. Some progress has also been 
made on the monographic study of the genus Eleocharis, a group 
of sedges, a second portion of which is now ready for publication. 
In the study of this genus I have borrowed material during the 
past year from Mr. C. C. Deam, the University of Illinois, the 
Gray Herbarium, the University of Tennessee, and the University 
of Texas. 
For some years I have been studying the genus Bidens (Beggar’s 
Ticks) as it occurs along the Hudson River, from the point of 
view of variation in species. I have accumulated a large amount 
of material, both from wild specimens and plants grown under 
glass, and intend to continue the problem during the summer. 
Genetics 
Studies on the Variation of Nephrolepis (Boston Ferns, etc.) 
By Rates C. BENEDICT 
The collections of Nephrolepis have been continued, including 
necessary attention to the propagation of the types shown in the 
public collection and those still under observation in the experi- 
mental house. Observations and records have been continued on 
several forms not yet reported. It is hoped that studies may 
soon be made of the effect of penetrating rays (X-rays and Radium 
rays) on vegetative mutation in these ferns. 
REP OR OR rE CURATOR OF PLANTS{FOR 4 930 
Dr. C. StuarT GAGER, DrrEcrTor. 
Sir: I submit herewith my annual report for 1930. Since the 
coming of Dr. Svenson in January my work has been greatly 
simplified by his taking charge of the herbaceous beds, the local 
flora section, and the herbarium of American plants, leaving in my 
charge woody plants and the herbarium of old-world plants. Dr. 
Svenson, assistant curator, reports as follows: 
