26o BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [ October, 



The new botanical laboratory of Barnard College, by N„ 



L. Britton. 



This is the annex for women to Columbia College, to be 



opened in October. The botanical department is under the 

 general supervision of Dr. Britton, but the students will be in 

 the immediate charge of Miss Emily L. Gregory. 



A suggestion concerning scientific work, by William R. 



Dudley. 



As economic interests largely determine the direction of 

 scientific research in this country, it is well to bear in mind 

 that the fresh-water algae, up to the present time almost en- 

 tirely neglected, hold an important place in sanitary matters, 

 and are therefore entitled both from a scientific and an eco- 

 nomic stand-point to more attention from investigators. 



Notes o)i seedlings of Elymiis Virginicus, by W. J. Beal. 



Notes on birds-eye maple, by W. J. Beal. 



These papers were illustrated, especially the latter, with 

 many excellent and interesting specimens. Various forms 

 of bird's-eye markings were described, both in the maple 

 and other kinds of woods. Tracing them back to their 

 earliest stages did not reveal anything regarding the inciting 

 cause or causes. 



Notes upon stamens of Solanacece, by Byron D. Halsted. 



Solanaceous stamens have three modes of dehiscence, 

 and in other ways show much diversity, but one character 

 appears to be general and limited to the order. This is the 

 presence of a cone or " columella " in each theca. Appar- 

 ent exceptions will be met with in examining mature stamens, 

 as in Datura, which, however, find explanation in the early 

 stages of growth. This character in connection with meas- 

 urement of the pollen furnishes valuable aids in classification 

 of the members of the order. 



Reserve food substances in twigs, by Byron D. Halsted. 



The details of the observations" have been given in 

 Bulletin No. 4 of the Iowa Agric. Exper. Station. He con- 

 cludes that a deposition of starch is an indication of maturity, 

 and only indirectly of the hardiness of the plant. Grit due 

 to the lignification of the pith cells in pear, apple, etc., is as- 

 sociated with the deposition of starch. 



A bacterial disease of carnations, by J. C. Arthur. 



The disease appears to be wide spread, but its character 

 were not heretofore well defined. It shows most prominently 

 in a gradual dying of the leaves and general weakening 



