1894.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL 323 



I submit a rough drawing to show this peculiar process and, 

 the specimens may be examined under the microscope. Ac- 

 cording to the authorities there is a cleft on some part of the 

 plant, out of which the young one grows. So far as I could see 

 there is no appearance of a cleft or opening of any kind until 

 the ,young plant inside has advanced in growth to a consider- 

 able size ; then it appears to protrude, gradually increasing and 

 enlarging the opening, until it finally emerges, leaving a vacancy 

 in the mother plant the full size of the young plant. The open- 

 ing does not seem to close up. What becomes of it remains for 

 further study and examination to disclose. 



Unfortunately there is very little literature on the subject. 

 Only two species are described in Gray's Manual, viz. : W. 

 Columbiana, Karst, and W. Braziliensis, Weddell — the latter dif- 

 fering from the former in "having numerous brown spots over it. 



Whether this specimen is Colmnbiana or Braziliensis I cannot 

 positively say, but I think it is Columbiana. It is, however, 

 plentifully covered with brown spots, but these are the points of 

 attachment of a young alga which is growing on the plant, giv- 

 ing it, with transmitted light, under the microscope, a hairy ap- 

 pearance. Where the alga has dropped or has been rubbed off 

 a bright reddish brown disk remains. Anyone familiar with 

 the growth of such algoi as attach themselves to objects in the 

 water, will recognize by the appearance which these brown spots 

 have that they are the points of attachment of an alga, this plant 

 has no root and it is very loosely cellular and light green in color. 



Dr. Britton informs me that Wolffia is recorded from Closter, 

 Bergen Co., and Kaighn's Point, Camden, N. J., and Orange Co., 

 N. Y., and we are now enabled to record it from Staten Island. 



MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETIES. 



Lincoln Microscope Club, Roscoe Pound, Secretary. 



September 26. — This was the first regular meeting after the 

 summer vacation and was unusually well attended. A great 

 deal of interest was shown. 



Dr. Bessey exhibited a new Reinhold Giltay Microtome, be- 

 longing to the University and explained its construction and 

 advantages. 



Mrs. Wade exhibited an old microscope which she had known 







