54 BOTANICAL GAZETTE 
our revision of this genus.* /7zg. 3 is the fruit of Z. Schaffueriana, an 
Jig. 4 that of Z. Carolinensis, as the descriptions indicate. 
Mr. Norton sends a specimen of our new species Z. Carolinensis 
from New Orleans, collected by J. F. Joor. The only locality known 
to us was eastern North Carolina. ; 
The eastern distribution of Z. dimeafa is usually given as from 
Massachusetts to Mississippi, but we have never seen specimens west — 
of Florida. ae 
Collectors along the Gulf coast should endeavor to discover ; 
whether these two species are found there, and learn definitely th 
distribution. The flowers of Lilxopsis are always given as, being 
white, but in Z. Carolinensis Dr. Joor says they are pink.— JoHN M. © 
Coutter and J. N. Rose. 
fs 
“THE PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS OF TODAYS 
IF it be true that the fundamental problem of physics is the consti- 
tution of matter, it is equally true that the fundamental problem ¢ 
physiology is the constitution of living matter. I think the time! 
come for physiology to return to its fundamental problem. 5 
Living matter is a collective term for the quality common to d 
living organisms. Comparative physiology alone enables us to 
criminate between the general properties of living matter and the ft 
tions of specific organs, such as the blood, the nerves, the sense orgé 
chlorophyll, ete. Nothing has retarded the progress of physiole 
and pathology more than the neglect of comparative physiology. Co 
parative Physiology shows that secretion is a general function 
living organisms and occurs even where there is no circulation. | 
It was @ priori false and a waste of time to attempt to explain sec 
from the experiments on blood pressure. QOxidations occur rega 
of circulation and it was @ priori a waste of time to consider the 
as Me seat of oxidation. Comparative physiology has shown t 
 . SMimidls fo light are identical with the be 
phenomena in Plants. Hence it is a mistake to ascribe such rea 
as the flying of the moth into the flame to specific functions of the 
* Bor. Gaz., 24: 48, 49. 1897. 
3 j : 
Delivered at the Ithaca meeting of the American Society of Naturalists, 
b’ 
S Paper is one of seven upon “The biological probl 
ti ” . * 6a 
today,” each speaker being limited to ten minutes. . 
