252 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [Sept., 
+1 £ th 
too small a class to be worth while. To overcom b 1 
is now changed by the substitution of the words “ Wi a Gredl history specimens bide Ga botan 
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eci 
Smithsonian inp as Chairman. The other members are Profs, L. F, Ward, J. W. 
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ck 
reported that i it bea eeocmaplished ‘the chief objects in view and was discontinue 
REFERENCE WAS MADE in the May issue to the condition of the botanical part of the 
partment of Agriculture, and the efforts to secure a suitable \ ata for the pres- 
ent pee For awhile after that was written the prospect was gloomy, and fears were en- 
t f is 
address me 
fungous foes of ne PP and the pina for an patted ty of fully 7 $5,000 wk 
which Prof. Ri 
d those of 
of Congress is largely due. The result has been, ea the work on the diseases of plants has 
n separated from i i 
pa Pp e ow 
Division, and has been placed in full charge of Mr. Scribner, who reports directly to the 
Commissioner. This leaves the position of assistant botanist Vacant. An approprialliy of 
$5,000 was obtained, of which $840 goes to the Botanical Division t yin 
studying the agricultural grasses of the West, a the balance, $4,160, is to be used. for the 
investigation of the diseases of plants, and for the salaries of thos ose Pichia Although 
this is much less than originally peers yet it eginning. 
LATHREA SQUAMARIA rope, has been studied by Mr. George 
Massee and described, with a plate, in the mind Journal of Botany. It fink for a long 
time been considered a true parasite upon the roots of elm, ash, hazel, and beech. After 
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upon which its 
nt becomes old, frequently very rare, or ee ntogeer absent, while i in a Oe 
i roots and dises are very numerou old plants; thei 
pends entirely on the position in which eae isin finds itself; ry small living roots ye a 
suitable host-plant are present they are developed, whereas, if the plant has migrated to & 
locality from which they are absen t, it possesses the © power of supportin « itself by means 
” It may bei 
th mycelium of a fungus, such as described by Kamienski as about the roots op 
Monotropa, but not with sufficient constancy to admit of the theory of symbiosis 
