9 
the palo amarillo region, and mingled with the latter species, is 
probably another member of this group. 
The properties of the palo amarillo rubber are peculiar. Taken 
by itself it is of only medium quality, but mixed in aa 
proportion with other varieties, especially with Para rubber, 
markedly improves them 
H. H. Russy. 
CONFERENCE OF THE SCIENTIFIC STAFF AND 
STUDENTS, DECEMBER 2, 1908.* 
The botanical conference of the New York Botanical Garden 
met on December 2. Dr. W. A. Murrill in a few opening remarks 
called attention to two species of stinkhorn fungus common in 
this locality, plants so-named on account of the carrion-like odor 
which serves to attract insects thus bringing about the distribu- 
tion of the spores. The egg-like structures from which these 
plants are produced and which are considered poisonous, from 
their close resemblance are likely to be mistaken for some of the 
common, edible puffballs. Photographs were shown to illus- 
trate this similarity in general appearance as well as the various 
stages in the development of . stinkhorn. So closely does the 
odor of these plants resemble that of decaying flesh that long 
searches are often made about peat by those unfamiliar 
with these facts, for the remains of decaying animals, when it is 
finally found that the disturbance is caused by one of these, com- 
paratively innocent, plants growing on the lawn. In this con- 
nection, Dr. . Britton showed a specimen of Clathrus collected 
in Jamaica, one type of fungus characterized by the odor so 
offensive to man but so attractive to ins 
Dr. Arthur Hollick exhibited a se of fossil plants from 
Florissant, Colorado, one of the best known localities for fossil 
plants in America. Here the deposits, which consist of thinly 
bedded shales, deposited evidently under quiet conditions, offer 
eetings of the staff and students of the Garden are held at intervals for 
the discussion of investigations in progress; abstracts of the proceedings of 
these conferences will hereafter be recorded in the JourNaA: 
