NOVEMBEE 2, 1900. ] 



SCIENCE. 



677 



Ecuador from July to ISTovember of the 

 same year, successfully accomplishing in 

 this time the reconnoissance for the new 

 work. 



Unfortunately all the marks left in the 

 old work have been destroyed, even the 

 base monuments having been demolished. 

 According to the plan proposed the Arc of 

 Quito which will replace the Arc of Peru 

 covers 6° of latitude nearly double the 

 length of the old Arc. 



Fifty-two triangulation stations will be 

 occupied. Three fundamental astronomical 

 stations have been selected, one near Quito 

 and one at each extremity of the Are, where 

 latitude and longitude will be determined. 

 Other determinations of latitude will be 

 made at intermediate stations to permit a 

 study of the deviation of the vertical. 

 Three base lines from eight to nine kilo- 

 meters in length will be measured. 



One is situated near Eiobamba about the 

 middle of arc and is to be connected with 

 sea level by levels of precision which are 

 expected to determine its elevation with an 

 error not exceeding a few centimeters. Two 

 verification base lines will be measured, one 

 near each end of the Arc. Observation of 

 gravity and magnetism will be made, and 

 studies of topography, geology and other 

 subjects of natural science undertaken. 

 Quito possesses an observatory with modern 

 instruments, in charge of a French astron- 

 omer, situated only fourteen minutes of 

 latitude south of the equator, at an eleva- 

 tion of 3,000 meters above sea level. 



To execute the measure of the new equa- 

 torial arc and complete the complementary 

 studies that should be made in connection 

 with it, it is estimated that five geodesists 

 should devote four years of uninterrupted 

 labor to this work. The difficulties to be 

 overcome will tax the courage and scientific 

 devotion of those upon whom the honor of 

 its execution may be bestowed. 



I. W. 



SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING OF TEE BOTAN- 

 ICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. 



The sixth annual meeting of the Botan- 

 ical Society of America was held in New 

 York City, June 26 to 28, 1900. For the 

 reading of papers the Society met in joint 

 session with Section G of the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Sci- 

 ence, June 28th, in Eoom 502, Schermer- 

 horn Hall, Columbia University. The 

 meeting of Section G was called to order 

 by the Vice-President, Wm. Trelease, who 

 announced the arrangements for the joint 

 session and called B. L. Eobinson, presi- 

 dent of the Society, to the chair. The re- 

 tiring president, L. M. Underwood, then 

 read his address — ' The Last Quarter : A 

 Reminiscence, and an Outlook.' The full 

 text of the address has already been printed 

 in Science. 



Following is the program of papers pre- 

 sented : 



' The Significance of Transpiration ': C. E. Baenbs. 



' Eelationship and Variability of the Adirondack 

 Spruce ' : Chas. Peck. 



' Nuclear Studies on Pellia ' : B. M. Davis. 



' On the Structure of the Stem of Polyirichadelphus 

 dendr aides ' : Mes. E. G. Bbinton. 



' Observations on the group Yuccese ' : Wm. Tee- 

 lease. 



' Spermatogenesis in the Gymnosperms ' : J. M. 



COULTEE. 



' The Pollen Tube, and Division of the Generative 

 Cell, in Pines,' by invitation of the Council: Miss 

 M. C. Ferguson. 



' On the Homologies and Probable Origin of the 

 Embryo-Sac ' : Geo. F. Atkinson. 



'Observations on Leisonia ' : Conway MacMillan. 



' Thigmotropism of Roots ' : F. C. Nkwcombe. 



'Starch in Guard Cells' : B. D. Halsted. 



' Coenogametes ' : B. M. Davis. 



' The Development of the Archegonium, and Fer- 

 tilization in the Hemlock Spruce, ' by invitation of the 

 Council : W. A. Mureill. 



' The Causes Operative in the Formation of Silage, ' 

 by invitation of the Council : H. L. Eussell and 

 S. M. Babcook. 



' A Closed Circuit Eespiration Apparatus,' by invi- 

 tation of the Council : H. L. Eussell and S. M. 

 Babcock. 



