1895. | NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 79 
entific Alliance, requesting that the Academy approve of the 
steps initiated for the incorporation of the Alliance. 
On motion the letter was referred to the Council with power. 
Mr. Livingston Farrand was nominated as a regular member, 
and the nomination was referred to the Council. 
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Section were read 
‘and approved. 
The following papers were presented : 
Dr. J. L. Wortman, “ On the so-called Devil’s Corkscrew, Dav- 
monhelix, of Nebraska. Dr. Wortman described its mode of 
occurrence and probable nature. It is to be regarded as of 
vegetable origin. 
Dr. Arnold Graf, ‘On the excretory system of the Leeches, 
Clepsine and Nephelis.” The living tissues were examined as_ 
transparent objects and the results recorded in the paper were 
thus obtained. 
Albert Schneider, ‘‘ The Occurrence and Functions of Rhizo- 
bia.” The paper described experiments which the writer had 
made to cultivate these nitrogenous growths on the roots of In 
dian corn. 
Prof. N. L. Britton, ‘An Undescribed Ranunculus from the 
Mountains of Virginia.” 
Prof. Bristol exhibited a newly modified water-bath, which was 
made of spun copper, was circular in shape, and possessed con- 
venient adjustments. 
Meeting adjourned. 
BASHFORD DEAN, 
Recording Secretary of Section. 
