. 
BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 175, 
chair appointed Prof. Ward, of the National Museum, Dr. Vasey, of the 
Department of Agriculture, and Prof. Chickering, of the Deaf-Mute College, 
The desirability of calling attention to the necessity of more extensive inves- 
tigations on plant diseases, from both an ecomical and scientific view, was t 
topic of much conversation, but it did not till the last days of the session crystal- 
lize into definite shape. The following was finally presented to the Section of 
Biology: The members of the Botanical Club desire to call the attention of 
of Researches upon the Health and Diseases of Plants,” to confer with regard 
to the best methods by which to advance this object, the first report to be made 
to the Society at its next meeting. Seven names were suggested for members of 
this committee. This received the hearty sanction of the Section, and was sent 
to the Sianding Committee, and from them to tlfe General Session of the Asso- 
ciation, which established the committee and appointed the following mem- 
: J.C, Arthur, C. E. Bessey, W. G. Farlow, T.J. Burrill, J. T. Rothrock, 
©. H. Peck and W. J. Beal. The marked favor with which the matter was 
received by members of the Association, both officially and privately, gives 
much encouragement that important results will be accomp i : 
0 opposition to these commendatory results, a few failures, oF more Prop” 
erly negative results, should be noted. Foremost of these is the low average 
quality of the botanical papers presented before the Association. Last year 
the botanists were ten per cent. of the total attendance, and this year eight per 
eent., or, exclusive of the British, nine per cent., and among them some of re 
most distinguished names of the science in this country, and yet the eesgener 
communications in no instance exhibit that profund research or comprehensive 
Statement of laws or relationships, or other characteristics that would entitle 
; The Club were the recipients of a fine registry book from the local com- 
mittee of arrangements appointed by the Academy. Nearly 100 names were 
sistered in it, but owing to imperfect methods, due to the newness of the thing, 
bat 
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ems one to two feet long, decumbent, or from an 
two j ing base, sometimes prostrate ; leaves of barren stem rather large, one ved 
<i yeaa long, one-third to five-eighth inch wide, elliptical or lance-ellipti- 
