»^ Vol. XXIV. No. 4.] , 
POPULAR SCIENCE NEWS. 
55 
: before the Association for discussion. It 
will, of course, involve a great deal of labor 
and no little expense ; but, if the Chapters 
. should enter into the scheme with enthusiasm, 
we could make an exhibit that would com- 
mand attention. The collections of all our 
Chapters, if ranged side by side, would not 
only occupy a large space, but would fairly 
represent the varied and abounding natural 
.products of America. Photographs of our 
' local societies, of their rooms, apparatus, 
libraries, and of local scenerv should be 
added. There would be a place for all the 
publications that have been issued by Chap- 
ters or individuals connected in an}' way with 
the A. A. G':-ological and botanical charts 
and maps, sketches, note-books, and manu- 
script papers should be added. These, 
together with our charters, badges of all the 
various styles, banners, and other emblems, 
would form a collection not unworthj- a place 
even in so imposing an exposition as will be 
that of 1S92. 
Mr. Uriah L. Hertz, President of our 
Audubon Chapter in Kent, Wasliington, 
writes: "I should, like to see our society 
represented in some attractive manner at the 
coming World's Fair. A small, unique 
pavilion, — built by subscription, — with the 
collections, map«, etc., would be appropriate, 
I think. I will subscribe, for one." 
Now I shall not undertake to rival one of 
the great New York papers, by oH'ering large 
prizes for the greatest number of the brightest 
Ideas with regard to a possible representation 
of our Association in 1892, but I hope to 
hear from every Chapter that feels an interest 
ill this matter, either pro or con. Say par- 
ticularly whether your Chapter would con- 
tribute its share toward making such an 
exhibit worthy of the Association, and 
whether it would subscribe toward the 
necessary expenses. Suggestions of ways 
and means of making an interesting and 
attractive display will be especially welcome. 
THE ISAAC LEA MEMORIAL CHAP- 
TER OF CONCHOLOGY. 
The Isaac Lea Chapter of the A. A. is one 
of our so-called "Corresponding Chapters" 
— that is, it is composed, not of members 
united by their residence in a common town, 
but of those who, though scattered through- 
out the whole country, are united by a 
common interest in conchology. The Presi- 
dent of the Isaac Lea Chapter is Professor 
Josiah Keep, of Mills College, California. 
Professor Keep is well known among scien- 
tific men, and is the author of "West Coast 
Shells, ".and "Common Sea-Shells of Cali- 
fornia." Under date of Jan. 17, Professor 
Keep writes : "I was surprised to receive 
notice, a few days Since, that I had been 
elected President of the Isaac Lea Chapter of 
the A. A. I will accept the office, and will 
endeavor to perform its duties faithfully. I 
have long taken the Popular Scienxe 
News, and am pleased to see that you are 
to have a department in that excellent paper. 
I desire to increase the interest in conchology 
among the members of the Association." 
We congratulate the Chapter that it has 
secured so able and kindly a gentleman for 
its leader. Was there ever before so good an 
opportunity for young and old to make them- 
selves familiar with the beautiful and curious 
shells that lie scattered along their paths, and 
under the waters of the brooks and ponds in 
their vicinity' .' No one is so young, so iso- 
lated, or so humble, that he will not be wel- 
comed to this earnest circle of shell-hunters ; 
and there are in it men able and willing to 
give freely and only too gladly, all the inlbr- 
mation anyone may need about whatever 
specimens he may find. The membership 
of the Isaac Lea Chapter ought to double* in 
a month. All are invited to join it. 
ORIGINAL OBSERVATIONS BY MEMBERS 
OF THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION. 
259. ^ Double R.\Nr.NciLus Tr.\cf.d uv a 
Stream of Water. — I found lasfspring a double- 
flowered specimen of lianiinculns, growing in Uie 
moist ground by tlie railroad. The species seemed 
to be closely allied to li. repens, as shown by the 
foliage and manner of growth. The flowers were 
perfectly double, all the stamens and pistils being 
changed to petals. This fact led me to the conclu- 
sion that the plant had escaped from cultivation, as 
I have not heard of an instance in which flowers 
have become perfectly double naturally. So I set 
myself to find out, if possible, how it had escaped, 
and from where. There is a small stream which 
runs by the place where the plant was found. 
Thinking some root-stalks might have become 
detached and brought down by this stream, I fol- 
lowed it up some distance to a place where it runs 
along the roadside. Here I found another specimen 
of the plant, and in a dooryard near by were others 
of the same kind, which had evidently, been culti- 
vated. I considered this satisfactory evidence that 
the plant had escaped from cultivation. There is a 
specimen of a similar plant in the New York State 
herbarium. It came from the central part of the 
State. Prof Peck, Staie botanist, says that it is the 
only specimen he ever saw. He came out to the 
place and collected specimens of it, and he has since 
written me that he compared it with the true Jt. 
repens, and that he considers it a cultivated form of 
that species. — Cornelius L. Shear, (member of 
Gray Memorial Botanical Chapter), Union Church, 
N. Y. 
260. Remarkable Insect Intelligence. — We 
happened to witness a curious fight between"^ wasp 
and a black-faced boring-bee. We had noticed dead 
bees lying on the ground beneath their holes, which 
were in the side of a wooden out-building, but had 
not before known what killed them. The wasp was 
metallic black and blue. It was busy at one of the 
bee-holes. Near by was an asparagus-bed, full of 
bushy and dry old plants. On looking closely, we 
saw that the wasp was holding a piece of one of the 
branches of an asparagus-plant, and was trying to 
pry the bee out of Jiis hole. The bee had his body 
at the entrjtnce of the hole, the sting pointing out- 
ward, and was buzzing angrily. The wasp held his 
weapon firmly with his mouth, supporting it by his 
legs. About a quarter of an inch of the twig pro- 
jected in front of him. Suddenly he dropped his 
stick, but immediately flew to the asparagus-bed 
and proceeded to cut himself another. He lit on a 
bush, and cut a branch off near the main stem, and 
then cut off the opposite end. He then had a little 
lance about an inch in length, and a little larger 
round than a pin's head. Then he charged the bee 
again, and began prying as before. The wasp 
dropped his stick again, but, not at all discouraged, 
cut himself another, and this he did several times. 
At last he succeeded in getting into the hole, and 
stood his lance straight up in it.- I did not see him 
after that, but suppose he killed the bee. I have 
heard it said that animals do not make use of 
"tools," but this observation seems to show that 
they can add to their means of offense when their 
natural powers are not sufficient. Connecting the 
dead bees with what we saw, there is reason to con- 
clude that the wasp was killing the bees and taking 
their quarters for his own purposes. — George M. 
Brooke. 
[The foregoing account seemed to us so unusual, 
ihat a letter was written, asking the corroboration 
of the second witness implied in the word "we." 
The answer is appended.. — Editor.] 
Dear Sir : You may accept without hesitatinu the report 
maic by my son of the encounter of a wasp with a bee. I was 
present and witnessed the occurrence. The circumst'inces were 
favorable to accurate observation. The asparagus-bed from 
wliich the wasp cut his staves, was not more than six feet from 
the bee's hole, and we were about midway. The wasp was so 
absorlied in his work that he seemed not to notice our presence, 
and we were thus enabled to approach very near him while 
engaged with the bee, as well as when cutting ami trimming 
the slender tips of the dry asparagus-stems. His aggressive 
air, steel-blue wings, and blue-black, shining body, suggested 
the idea of a knight in armor forcing, lance in hand, the 
stronghold of an enemy. This incident occurred in the latter 
part of the summer of 1SS7; the exact date was not noted. We 
kept a bright lookout last sunnner, hoping for a repetition, but 
were disappointed. Respectfully yours, 
John M. Hrookk. 
Professor of Physics, Virginia Military Institute. 
REPORTS FROM OUR CHAPTERS. 
A BRIEF GLANCE AT A FEW OF THE GOOD WORKERS. 
595, Oneonta, N. Y. , [A]. — Our Chapter has been 
organized five years, and during that time we have 
analyzed and identified three hundred and fourteen 
phanerogamous plants, twenty-one ferns, seven or 
eight sedges and grasses, and four or five lycopo- 
diums. This list includes scarcely any cultivated 
plants, and, with very few exceptions, all were found 
within easy walking distance of our hoines. We 
think we have quite a fair knowledge of our native 
flora. Our little wild garden has been a great 
assistance in our studies. Frequently we find young 
plants with which we are unacquainted, and trans- 
plant them to our garden, where we can observe 
their growth, blossoms, and fruit. But it would 
have been impossible to have visited them in the 
woods at exactly the right time for analyzing. The 
Situation of the plot is unfavorable, being too dry 
and not shady enough. For this reason, many of 
the prettiest plants die, and, as the worthless ones 
are pulled up, our garden never presents a very 
showy appearance. A few days ago I overheard a 
farmer, who was looking at it, say, in a very em- 
phatic and somewhat disgusted tone, " Well, that 
don't amount to much 1 ' I suppose he could not 
see much that to him looked valuable, but if he 
could have seen the knowledge we have gained 
from that littU bit of earth, he would have con- 
cluded that there was much more there than could 
be seen. We find the plan has many advantages, 
and it cannot be too strongly recommended. We 
were greatly interested in two articles about "Many 
