Pennsylvania for Sesstons. 1901-1903. Ixxxiii 
Report. In this was emphasized the fact that a surplusage 
of heat units was recorded throughout the year, that up to 
April 6th an exceptionally warm period prevailed and thus 
vegetation became abnormally advanced, plants being from 
three weeks to a month ahead of their average blooming 
period. This was followed by a rather cold, raw atmos- 
pheric condition which checked vegetation. A long, dry, 
hot period in May advanced in some cases, but dried up in 
other cases, advancing vegetation. The remainder of the 
season was mainly characterized by cool, often cloudy, damp 
days. 
The warmer weather of September succeeding this caused 
many spring flowering plants to open blossoms again, a list 
of these being given. 
Dr. H. E. Wetherill spoke of his studies on the native, and 
especially the medical flora of the Philippines, and pointed 
out that several valuable native plants were used in the 
native pharmacopceia, which might in the future take high 
rank from their medical qualities. 
December 18. Dr. Miller, President, in the chair. Miss 
Martha Hollinshead spoke on “The Life History of Com- 
melyna virginica.’ After noting that the species of the 
genus were mostly tropical or sub-tropical, and that the 
above-named species afforded food for quails, the speaker 
went on to describe the mode of seed germination. About 
ten to twelve days were needed for this, thereafter the stem 
of the seedling lengthened and trailed along the ground, 
developing roots from the nodes. Several plants could thus 
be potentially formed by vegetative growth. The structure 
of the stem was then described, and later that of the flower. 
The mucilaginous change in the petals as these withered was 
specially noted. 
Dr. H. S. Conard then spoke on “The Veining and Fruit- 
ing of Ferns as an Aid to Classification.” He illustrated 
his observations with a set of lantern slide preparations of 
the leaves bearing their sori, or showing evident venation. 
