174 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 
maximum in the Carboniferous. The Oycadacee may have orig- 
inated as early as the Devonian. They must have attained their 
absolute as well as their relative maximum development in the 
middle Jurassic. The Conifere through their archaic form, the 
Cordaitee, began in the Lower Silurian. They attained their 
full maturity in the Cretaceous, and are now on the decline. 
The Monocotyledons probably date back to the Lower Carboni- 
ferous or Devonian, and reached their highest expression in the 
palms whose reign occupied the early Tertiary. These also are 
probably now waning. The Dicotyledons must have had their 
real origin in the Lower Jura or Upper Trias; their absolute 
robably coincides with their relative development. the Apea 
being now declining, the Polypetale about stationary, and the 
Gamopetale rapidly advancing. 
GENERAL NOTES. 
Results of the Philadelphia Meeting.—It is unnecessary to mention 
hose features which are obvious from the nature of the meeting and the large 
attendance of botanists. Not among the least results was the awakening to 
united action, which must be still further augmented in order to forward meas- 
ures of commanding importance which are quite within the scope of the organ- 
ization. 
The action in reference to postage on botanical specimens seems to have 
been as vigorous and effective as could have been devised. The committee of 
the Club did their work well. The resolutions drawn up and presented by the 
officers of the Club to the Biological Section of the Association were as follows: 
Resolved, 1st. That the Biological Section of the American Association 
for the Advancement of Science earnestly request that the Postmaster General 
recommend to Congress such changes in the existing postal laws as will permit 
the transmission through the mails of botanical specimens, accompanied with 
the customary written labels, giving name, ‘locality, date of collection and 
collector’s name, at fourth-class rates of postage. 
ved, 2d. That he take such action as may be deemed best to secure 
—. regulations in the transmission of botanical specimens to and from 
a 
nada, 
__ Resolved, 3d. That he cause the same subject to be presented before the 
Congress of the Universal Postal Union at its meeting in Lisbon in October 
next, in order, if possible, to secure like liberality with foreign countries. 
me to the 
