20 
Some of the scientific results of Dr. Svenson’s trip to the Gala- 
pagos and Cocos Islands on the Nourmahal expedition in 1930 
have been brought together in a paper, the publication of which 
has been made possible by the pledge of a generous contribution 
from Mr. Vincent Astor. The paper will appear in American 
Journal of Botany for February, 1935. Dr. Svenson also reports 
progress (p. 70) in his studies of the complex genus Eleocharis and 
of the genus Bidens which includes the troublesome ‘‘Sticktights”’ 
of our local flora. 
Dr. Graves reports progress in his study of the chestnut-bark 
disease. The object of this investigation is to produce, by hy- 
bridizing, a variety of chestnut (Castanea) hardy in the range of 
the American chestnut (C. dentata), resistant to the chestnut- 
bark disease or ‘chestnut blight,’’ and valuable for timber. 
Dr. Gundersen reports the continuation of his study of the 
relationship of plant families, with emphasis on placentation 
(the anatomy of ovule attachment) in the Dicotyledons. Dr. 
Benedict, resident investigator, has continued his cultures of 
fernsand their study. Dr. Cheney, also resident investigator, has 
continued his studies of the coffee plant along new lines of both 
economic and scientific interest; and Mr. Doney, assistant in the 
department of plants, has concluded his studies of the genus 
Staphylea—shrubs of the Bladdernut Family. The results are 
embodied in a thesis submitted to the faculty of Columbia Uni- 
versity in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. A. 
degree. 
Three research students have been registered at the Garden 
during the year (p. 58). 
Detailed results of all these investigations are reported more 
fully on pages 50-72. 
Of course the great need is additional support for research in 
the form of permanent endowment more nearly commensurate 
with its scientific and economic importance, and as a fundamental 
en. This objective must be kept 
—_ 
function of the Botanic Garc 
before us until the end is attained. 
PUBLIC RELATIONS 
Attendance.—Turnstiles at the entrance gates registered a total 
attendance of 1,352,407, equal to almost half the population of 
