126 



representatives from the different localities visited, and 

 specified among others several species of water plants 

 which were very interesting to the audience thus the 

 (Bladderwort) Utricularia inflala with its leaves bearing 

 little bladders filled with air that float the plant at the 

 time of flowering, hence its name. The Limnantkemum 

 lacunosum, so called from the situation where it grows, 

 the Nuphar advena, and the favorite water lily of our 

 ponds, Nymphea odorata. He described two species of 

 native orchis, Platanthera psycodes, and lacera for the 

 purpose of showing the method of fertilization by the 

 help of insects ; first in spirauthes, and afterwards in 

 other specimens of the orchis family, particularly the 

 ragged orchis (Platanthera lacera). In the orchis the 

 stamens and pistils are united into one organ, the stamens 

 being above the pistils. In spiranthes a modified stigma, 

 projects between the true stigma and the stamen. As the 

 pollen ripens, it projects from the stamen and attaches 

 itself to the viscid surface of this modified stigma. 

 When an insect enters the flower, this viscid stigma be- 

 comes detached and adheres to it, so that the insect car- 

 ries it away and th**polleu with it. On entering another 

 flower the insect pushes the pollen against its stigma, and 

 thus it ensures the fertilization of one flower by the pol- 

 len of another. In other orchids, the same result is ob- 

 tained in different ways. 



Mr. WILLIAM B. TRASK, of Boston, being called upon 

 by the President, made a few remarks in regard to the 

 old "Trask House," l.>8 Boston street, Salem, which 

 was photographed in June last, and a copy of it presented 

 to the Institute. This house was built, it is supposed, 

 about the year 1680, by William, eldest- son of Capt. 

 William Trusk. It was occupied by him and his family, 



