59 



and P. sylvcstris which are not uncommon in American nurseries, 

 then P. Heldreichii, P. mugo and P. Cernhra. The Himalayan pine, 

 P. exceha, was the largest specimen among Asiatic pines. Other 

 species were P. Thunhergii, which might be called silver-bud pine, 

 P. densiflora, P. parviflora, P. koraiensis and P. Bimgcana which 

 grows as a shrub here. The leader stated that the genus Pinus 

 reaches into the southern hemisphere in only one place, the moun- 

 tains of Java. Has anybody been looking at Java on the map lately ? 

 Attendance was 11. Leader: Dr. Alfred Gundersen. 



John A. Small 



Trip of October 18 to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden 



This time the objective was the study of evolution. The Con- 

 servatory was visited and we were shown the exhibit of the principal 

 groups of plants. Algae, Ferns and Angiosperms are the three main 

 stages of plant evolution, with many diverging lines within and be- 

 tween. Algae are nearly all water plants. Early stages of land plants 

 are suggested by lichens, by liverworts, by the fossil Rhynia group, 

 and also by clubmosses and horsetails. These have no true leaves, 

 but fronds of ferns are primitive leaves, which are now recognized 

 as fused and flattened branches. Seeds differ from spores somewhat 

 as the large eggs of reptiles differ from the small eggs of amphibians, 

 for seeds and reptile eggs are adaptations to land life. Differences 

 such as open or closed ovary should be considered with the time 

 difference between Gymnosperms (late Devonian) and Angiosperms 

 (Cretaceous). The significant characteristic of flowering plants is 

 insect pollination, although a few of them have reverted to the primi- 

 tive wind pollination. Deciduous leaves and the herbaceous habit 

 must be thought of as adaptations to a winter season. Various books 

 were seen and discussion closed the meeting. Attendance 17, 

 Leader : Dr. Alfred Gundersen. There will be other visits for some- 

 what different studies in 1942. 



John A. Small 



Trip of November 16, 1941. Kaiser Road to Millbrook Road 

 Via Appalachian Trail, Warren County, N. J, 



Like the trip of August 10, this walk started from the Elysian 

 Club, following the side trail to the crest of the ridge. Several plants 



