1890. | REPORT OF BOTANICAL SECTION. 27 
this suborder complete for the United States, were presented by Mr. 
Seelye. They were handsomely framed as companion pictures, and 
testified to his unflagging interest in the work of the Section. 
During the winter of 1885-6, a portion of the Section were engaged 
in the study of “Anatomy and Histology of Plants."’ They were sup- 
plied with caligraph copies of “ Laboratory Directions,”” and on some 
occasions also with specimens from the botanical laboratory of Cornell 
University. These were sent at regular intervals, just as they were pre- 
pared for the class in that institution. This courtesy was entirely with- 
out remuneration and is very gratefully acknowledged. The Section is 
also indebted to Mr. W. H. Kislingbury for a collection of Polar 
plants mounted and framed, which, aside from its value as representing 
the flora of the Arctic regions, possesses a melancholy interest in having 
been gathered and prepared by his brother, the lamented Lieut. Kis- 
lingbury of the ill-fated Greely expedition. 
At rare intervals plants have been found in this vicinity whose 
habitat is many miles from the place of discovery. One example is the 
Nasturtium sylvestre, which was found by Miss Sellinger near the 
Lower Falls; as it was never before known to grow so far West, the 
specimen was sent to Prof. Gray, by Mrs. Streeter, at that time Presi- 
dent of the Botanical Section, who received from him a letter of 
acknowledgment. 
The Polygala polyganum which has both aerial and underground 
blossoms was found near Penfield. ‘The plant was a fine one, and was 
much admired by all who sawit. The tiny purple blossoms of the stem 
formed a striking contrast to the pendulous waxen flowers of the roots. 
An artistic member of the Section, who was also the fortunate discoverer 
of the plant, made a fine drawing of it for Mr. W. H. Kimball. 
A remarkable specimen in teratology was furnished by Miss Beck- 
with. This was an abnormal rose, in which the stem was prolonged 
through the flower, and bore a number of leaves. The last petal was 
fully half an inch above the others, and like them was attached to the 
stem. An illustrated account of this abnormal growth was published 
in Vick’s Magazine for September, 18809. 
During the past year the work of the Section has been chiefly con- 
fined to the study of Algz, and of vegetable histology, using Bessey’s 
Botany for the text book. The practical studies therein designated 
have been as far as possible repeated in the class, and the exhibits with 
the microscope have not only equalled the illustrations, but in many 
instances have surpassed them. 
The Batrachospermum moniliforme, an humble fresh water form of 
a higher group of marine algz, and said to be the first discovery in this 
