344 The Botanical Gazette. [September, 
SECOND SESSION, MONDAY, AUGUST 21,9 A. M. 
The second session oper.ed with thirty-five persons present. 
The treasurer's report was read, showing a deficit of about 
six dollars, which was subsequently more than covered by 
voluntary contributions from the members. A committee 
formed of A. S. Hitchcock and E. F. Smith to nominate offi 
cers for the ensuing year was then appointed, to report on 
Tuesday. 
Papers or brief addresses were presented as follows: 
Mrs. E. G. BRITTON: The genus Bruchia.—The mosses 
of this genus are minute, and mostly American; only two 
types had to be sought in Europe. The work brought out 
several new species, and the doubtful ones were noted. 
Mrs. E. G. BRITTON: Zhe necessity of seeing types.—A 
number of instances of the imperfection of descriptions, and 
. of otherwise unobtainable information secured from the orig- 
inal specimens, were given, emphasizing the fact that even if 
the case of the most conscientious and careful botanies | 
examination of their type specimens is sometimes required — 
for identification. : 
r. Greene thought that the necessity for seeing type : 
grew largely out of the imperfect use of the English language 
and a lack of appreciation of what constitutes true rare 
in the Linnean sense. Mr. Underwood spoke of the ow 
culty sometimes experienced in ascertaining where pAb ia 
to be found, and mentioned the Mexican collections ei 
Paris. Miss Harrison spoke of the types in the mise 
Herbarium at Washington, and further remarks were 
by Mr. Kellerman. i- 
A. S. HitcHcock: The forms of Ampelopsis.—Fresh Per 3 
mens of Ampelopsis quinguefolia were exhibited an ies 
tion called to the form which does not climb. The rome: 
are stalked and taper to the base, the cymes ers ge mi discs 
(not racemose), the canes smooth and of different vracters are : 
only rarely present (flowers not studied). Its pags? 
of the C7ssus type, and he is inclined to think it a : 
cies. “oh discs 
Mr. Swingle stated that he had found the form with discs 
well developed. cerex” 
- C. ARTHUR: A centrifugal apparatus.—The pee the 
hibited a new pattern of centrifugal for demons entrifugal 
Sensitiveness of roots and stems of seedlings to C°™™ ” 
