242 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [ September, 
Alsia Californica Sull. var. flagellifera—California (Miss Mann). 
Eurhynchium strigoswm B. 8. var. Barnesii—Idaho (Leiberg). _ 
Plagiothecium denticulatum B. 8. var. microcarpum.—Idaho (Leiberg). 
Amblystegium riparium B. 8. var. serratum.—Kansas (Henry). 
lystegium riparium var. Floridanum.—Florida (Garber). Louisi- 
ana (Langlois). 
ypnum symmetricum (sub-species of H. wncinatum).—Idaho (Lei- 
berg). Oregon (Howell). 
Hypnum arcuatum Lindb. var. Americanum.—Louisiana (Langlois). 
Silk seeking pollen.—Director Speer, of the Iowa experiment sta- 
tion, is making some interesting experiments on the fertilization of corn, 
It is found that the silk will remain green and in a receptive condition 
and grow in length for a long time if not fertilized. Some silks just 
measured which have been out nineteen days, but covered to prevent 
fertilization, are sixteen inches beyond the ear. In one instance a few 
silks were fertilized the second day after they appeared, and six days 
later the remainder, two sizes of kernels appearing on theear. In an- 
other case the ear was covered until the silk was well started and then 
pollenized. Twelve days later it was examined and found to have set 
almost perfectly, but the kernels toward the base of the ear were the 
smallest, showing that the longest silks required the most time for fertil- 
ization. In ordinary cases the silks from the base of the ear appear 
much the soonest and the lower kernels become fertilized first. Ia an- 
other case where the outer (lower) silks were cut off and the whole left 
exposed a greater difference in size between the top and butt kernels 
appeared. Silks were repeatedly cut off and the ear afterward success 
fully fertilized, proving that it is not the forked apex of the silk alone 
that is receptive. A. A. Crozier, Ames, Iowa. 
EDITORIAL. 
ANOTHER PROPOSITION was made and considered this year to erect 
the Botanical Club of the A. A. A. S, into a section, or at least a sub-sec 
tion. Fortunately, we think, the committee reported adversely to the 
proposition, after consulting the council and those who have had som 
experience with similar movements in other sections. Weho that this 
endeavor will not be renewed. It tends, even when unsuccessful, bedeor’ 
aggerate the importance of the club, and to that extent to interfere with 
its usefulness, 
: OTHER PROPOSAL which we think would be equally harmful should 
it be acceded to was that the club request the council to publish 18 pro- 
ceedings in the regular volume. The Botanical Club should hardly ed 
formal enough to be said to have “ proceedings.” It is to be the pet 
