40 | The Botanical Gazette. [Januaty, 
PROBABLY THE LARGEST specimen of Acanthorhiza aculeata Wendl. 
(a curious species of Central American palms) in cultivation in Europe 
has just bloomed for the first time at Kew. The generic name refers 
to the curious spinous roots, which in the species mentioned clothe thé 
stem to a height of a foot above the ground. 
THE StaTE UNIvERsITY oF Iowa has sent Professor B. Shimek to 
Nicaragua, to follow the route of the canal as near as practicable 
make a general investigation of the country; its general character 
(fertility, climate, etc.), its people, its geology, its flora (special atte 
tion being paid to the cryptogamic flora), andi 
that he will return to Iowa City with his collections not later than 
April 1, 1893. 
R. GEO. M. THomson, of New Zealand, has an interesting paper iy 
Science (Dec. 9) entited “Biological Notes from New Zealand.” We 
SEVERAL STATE ACADEMIES of science met during the holiday we 
The program of the Nebraska society contains twenty-two papers; 
which eight are upon botanical subjects. In Ohio there are thirty-seve 
ces ninety papers, of which twenty-five are botanic! 
These local societies appear to be flourishing, and are accomplishilt 
a good work. 3 . 
Tue Nationa Counci. or Epucation (a department he 
N. E. A.), is considering the general subject of uniformity in S¢ dest. 
Programs anc in requirements for admission to college. Be: 
d rept 
upon the different Subjects. The conference committee on “Natu it 
History” met at Chicago University, December 28th, and among © 
ten members are found the following botanists: Chas. E. Bess? 
Douglas H. Campbell, and John M. Coulter. 
