OcTOBER 15, 1897. ] 
Trillium grandiflorum was accompanied by 
numerous dried specimens presenting the 
most remarkably monstrous forms. There 
were forms without the usual leaves, butin 
which all the floral organs except stamens 
were transformed into green foliage; acau- 
lescent forms, forms with petioles 12 cm. to 
15 em. long, petiolated sepals and petals, 
forms with doubled sepals and petals, and 
forms without any stamens or pistils. In 
one locality in eastern Michigan over 400 
monstrous individuals were collected. Of 
all organs the stamens vary least; they 
usually contain pollen. The pistils are 
commonly without true ovules, bearing 
leafy outgrowths instead. The author did 
not attempt to explain the teratology, but 
suggested that it might be propagated by 
fertilizing normal forms with pollen from 
the monstrous ones. In the discussion 
which followed the reading of the paper, 
Dr. Smith reported making a similar collec- 
tion of the same species near the same 
locality and reporting it in the Botanical 
Gazette fifteen or more years ago. The 
Vice-President queried whether a preced- 
ing burning over with fire might not call 
forth the teratological forms. It was stated, 
however, by several present that such forms 
had been found where fire had not occurred 
for many years. Mr. Day reported a con- 
stant variety from Goat Island, Niagara 
River. Professor Britton had had no re- 
ports of these variations from the Appala- 
chian region. 
Mr. Wiegand reported variations in the 
form of fruit in closely related species of 
Galium. In some species the fruit is 
saucer-shaped, in others cup-shaped, and in 
others the edge of the cup is so narrowly 
constricted as to leave but a pore connect- 
ing the hollow interior with the exterior. 
Professor Bessey reported the progress of 
the Botanical Survey of Nebraska. The 
Survey was organized in 1892 by the Bo- 
tanical Seminar of the University of Ne- 
SCIENCE. 
573 
braska, since which time it has brought 
together more than 10,000 specimens; pub- 
lished ‘ Reports I., II., III. and IV.’; pub- 
lished ‘Parts I., IJ. and XXI.’ of the 
“Flora of Nebraska.’ The total number of 
species known to the State is about 3,400. 
This same author considered the question 
of the retreat of trees from Nebraska 
plains, concluding that none are known to 
be receding, while several species, such as 
the bur-oak and the pines, are advancing. 
Dr. Bessey also described the foot-hill 
vegetation of western Nebraska. The 
foot-hill region is an elevated plain 1,200 
meters above sea-level, upon which are 
Pine Ridge on the north, 1,500 meters above 
sea-level, and Cheyenne Ridge on the south, 
1,700 meters above sea-level. Upon Chey- 
enne Ridge occur considerable bodies of 
trees, mostly pines, with red-cedar, box- 
elder and others. The Box Butte plains 
are covered with a uniform grass-forma- 
tion. 
Mr. J. H. Schuette’s extensive paper on 
wild and cultivated roses of Wisconsin was 
read in brief abstract by Professor Bessey, 
who expressed himself as of the opinion 
that the author should make a wider study 
of native roses in the United States before 
publishing. 
Professor Beal’s paper, denominated 
“How Plants Flee from their Enemies,’ 
consisted in the citation of numerous ex- 
amples of plant distribution as affected by 
hostile external conditions. 
The ‘ Bacteriosis of Carnations,’ as re- 
ported by Mr. Woods,is not due to abacterial 
disease, as has been supposed, but to the 
punctures of aphides and thrips. The cells 
affected become cedemic, collapse and give 
a whitish sunken spot. The dead tissue 
may subsequently become infested by bac- 
teria and fungi. 
Dr. Erwin F. Smith reported the cor- 
roboration of Wakker’s claim that a certain 
disease of the hyacinth is caused by a bac- 
