22 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK. 



plants from the localities in which they do grow to the full range 

 of habitats where they may grow. Not only may species be car- 

 ried and established in numberless new localities offering condi- 

 tions equivalent to their natural habitats, but a study of the ad- 

 justments and accommodations of which the plant is capable en- 

 ables or allows it to be introduced into unfamiliar conditions, 

 under which the structural response may take on qualities more 

 valuable than those usually shown by it. 



The President — Dr. MacDougal has given us in that portion of his 

 paper which he has read, very valuable points, and the paper and the 

 subject is now before the meeting for discussion ; I am sure that Dr. 

 MacDougal would be glad to answer any questions that may be asked 

 him upon any point that has been presented. 



Does anyone desire to make any remark upon this subject just pre- 

 sented by Dr. jMacDougal ? 



A. L. Willis — What is the range. Dr. MacDougal? 



Dr. MacDougal — It covers the common prickly pear of this region 

 — and then we have the Indian turnip and the columbine and several others 

 that are taken from Northern Lake Champlain and the climate in the 

 Botanical Garden — which has now had its range extended until this plant 

 is growing in the desert laboratory, at 6,ioo feet, and also in the soil at 

 8,000 feet. 



I will take the liberty of saying that this produced the widest 

 adaptation which has yet been recorded concerning any plant. 



Mr. Soutlnvick — I would like to ask the widest range of temperature, 

 the widest variation? 



Dr. MacDougal — We have the walnut trees on the top and on the 

 bottom, looking very different. I don't know whether they really range 

 up and down. the whole mountain or not. Some one has submitted speci- 

 mens of these walnut trees to Dr. Britton, and he thinks they are in- 

 separable. Now, here is a vertical range of a mile. I do not believe the 

 juniper would cover much over a vertical mile. I know some other plants 

 which will cover this. I think there is one which has a range greater than 

 this. This is a plant that grows at sea level in Mexico, on the west 

 coast, in latitude about 27, and then it goes northward seven or eight 

 hundred miles and climbs up to four thousand feet. I believe that is the 

 widest range of anything I know of. 



On the wideness of range, I don't believe any study has j'et been 

 made of the botanical features or capacity on which this wideness of range 

 rests. I don't know what there is about the juniper that makes it do 

 this, or the walnut tree, either. 



Mr. Southzvick — How about the birches? 



