281 
recent exploration of the Cuban Keys, stating that the collec- 
th 
tions contain still more characteristic species of the Bahamian 
pelago, among them Tricera bahamensis (Baker) Britton 
and Clea: Fiitchcockit Millsp. F. J. SEAVER. 
NOTES, NEWS AND COMMENT. 
Dr. W. A. Murrill, assistant director, sailed for southern 
Mexico December 2, to continue his studies of tropical fungi. 
He was accompanied by Mrs. Murrill. 
Evans, professor of botany in Yale University, 
set D December 5 at the Garden consulting the collection of 
Hepa' 
Dr. Hans Hallier, conservator of the Royal Herbarium at 
Leyden, was a visitor at the Garden during the early part of 
December. 
Mr. Reginald Heber Howe, Jr., has been granted a research 
scholarship in the Garden for one month, beginning December 20, 
aid him in his studies of American lichens. 
Mr. W. W. Eggleston has been granted a research scholarship 
for two months to aid him in continuing his work upon the apple 
and plum families. 
One of the chocolate trees, Theobroma Cacao, now has a fruit 
on it which is nearly mature. The plant is located in the 
northern corner of house no. 4 of conservatory range no. 1. It 
is from the seeds contained in the pod, as it is called, that choco- 
late and cocoa are made. In the orchid house, no. 15, of t 
same range, will be found plants of the holy ghost or ane 
flower in bloom. This is Peristerta elata, a native of Panama. 
Cases nos. 6 and 7 in the museum of fossil plants have been 
recently rearranged and new specimens placed on display, with the 
special object of illustrating the fossil flora of the vicinity of New 
York. The specimens all belong to the middle Cretaceous 
period. Those from New Jersey are included in Amboy clay 
and the Cliffwood clay marl series of deposits. Those from Staten 
Island, Long Island, Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard are 
