1892.] BECKWITH VARIATION OF RAV-FLOWERS. 171 



The dark-banded flowers of both Coreopsis and Gaillardia are smaller 

 than those of light color. 



In a field about one-fourth of a mile distant from the first one 

 visited, I found in 1892 a few blossoms showing faint pencilings on 

 the rays, such as have been described, but none with a complete dark 

 band. 



Flowers showing an orange-colored band were reported in the 

 fall of 1891, in "Meehans' Monthly," as having been noticed for the 

 first time in the vicinity of Boston and Philadelphia. 



If the plant has ever shown this variation before, it is strange 

 that it has not been noted and reported, and it is equally strange if it 

 has only recently taken this new departure. In a somewhat extended 

 search in other directions around Rochester I have failed to find any 

 other specimens than those of the normal type. 



Another variation worthy of notice, is that flowers of the normal 

 yellow color have been found with two or more circles of ray-florets, 

 giving the appearance of so-called semi-double blossoms ; these were 

 also found in the same fields. 



Specimens showing the variations which have here been described, 

 have been placed in the herbarium of the Academy. 



Professor Henry A. Ward showed a meteorite which he had 

 recently received from Japan, from the village of Kesen, and read 

 the following paper : 



PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF A NEW METEORITE FROM 



JAPAN. 



By Professor Henry A. Ward. 



Several months ago a friend, Mr. Alan Owston, who had been 

 traveling in the interior of the main island of Japan, told me that he 

 had seen what he thought to be a stone meteorite in a temple of 

 Iwate. As the result of considerable correspondence this specimen 

 has been sent to me, reaching me early in December. It was accom- 

 panied by a letter in Japanese language of which the following is a 

 translation : 



" This meteorite which I send you herewith fell about forty years 

 ago, viz : in the 3d year of Ka-yei, at dawn on the 4th day of the 5th 

 month, (13th June, 1850). It fell obliquely from the W.N.W. with a 

 great sound like thunder, at the village of Kesen in the district of 

 Kesen in this Prefecture. It entered the ground five feet, and 

 remained hot for two days. The original size was said to be about 



