Ixx Proceedings of the Botanical Soctety of 
of Echinocereus that had been placed by him in a closely 
stoppered bottle fully two years before amid a little soil and 
moisture. The cactus had grown luxuriantly, while a rich 
crop of grass came up yearly to die down each autumn. The 
specimen excited special interest. 
Dr. Macfarlane then described a large set of specimen 
plants kindly sent by Mr. Craig, florist, from his green- 
houses. Chief amongst these were two new varieties of the 
Boston fern, that showed a marked variation from the 
species, also several species of Asparagus, Begonia and 
Dracena. 
Mr. Schumo referred to one or two exhibits recently 
acquired while on a trip to Jamaica and Martinique. 
February 20. Dr. Miller, President, in the chair. Dr. H. 
S. Conard spoke on “New African Water-Lilies and Recent 
Notes on the Genus.” He stated that in the genus Nymphea 
as in Viola, etc., well-marked variations occurred, and it 
was often difficult to determine whether these should be 
regarded as varieties or species. He cited as an example N. 
gigantea of Western Australia, and the so-called variety 
violacea from Cape York peninsula. A number of addi- 
tional cases were cited. He then dealt with the distribution 
and variations of the African species, specially pointing out 
the puzzling intergradation of N. coerulea and N. capensts, 
that have been described under such names as N. coerulea 
albiflora, N. abbreviata, etc. 
Dr. H. E. Wetherill then gave “Exhibition and Observa- 
tions on Some New Botanical Instruments.” These included 
a pocket magnifying lens with two magnifying powers, 
the whole capable of being fitted so as to act as a range 
finder, a Lloyd hydrodyke, a wet and dry bulb hygrometer, 
also a hygroscope of effective action and inexpensive price. 
Miss Edith Farr then exhibited and commented on a set 
of herbarium specimens received by the Botanical Depart- 
ment from Biltmore and which were being incorporated in 
the University Herbarium. She specially emphasized the 
