ACTIVITIES OF THE CLUB 79 



It is assumed that Afrocraiiia, with one species in East Africa is primitive. Closely 

 related is the big section Tlicly crania, which covers much of Europe, Asia, and 

 North America, and is here typified by such species as C. stolouifera and C. ' amo- 

 iiiuiii. Also from Afrocraiiia came Tanycrania (C. mas, C. sessilis), found now in 

 southern Europe, China, western North America; Disocrania, with one species in 

 Mexico; Cynoxylon and Ccphalocrania, which include such species as C. florida and 

 C. kousa, found in southern Asia and North America; and Arctocrania, the so-called 

 herbaceous boreal species C. canadensis and C. snecica. The progression seems to 

 have been from a primitive panicle subtended by bracts, by condensation to a "head" 

 with either disappearance of the bracts (Thcly crania), or their development into 

 more or less petaloid appendages ; this often accompanied by the postponement of 

 anthesis through a dormant period until the season following flower-formation, the 

 bracts serving as bud scales. Most of the confusion in names and identities is in 

 Thelycrania. This section falls readily into groups of two or three species each, in 

 North America. A study of their distribution indicates that each of these groups 

 seems to have once been present in the southern Appalachian region, and to have 

 split as it migrated northward. When the segregated elements came again into con- 

 tact we find integrading forms which cannot be accurately classified. One of the 

 regions where this occurs is the Ohio Valley, where Rafinesque created numerous 

 new "species." Another is the St. Lawrence Valley and northern New York. 



This was followed by a presentation by Mr. F. R. Swift on "Treating Yeast Plants as 

 Individuals," illustrated with splendid motion pictures. 



This talk gave a short review of some of the methods used in developing yeast 

 cultures, from the primitive method of merely exposing easily fermentable material 

 to the air to the manipulator method developed at the Fleischmann Yeast Laboratory. 



In the latter, glass cover-slips are pre-coated with a vegetable-mineral oil mix- 

 ture, adjusted to fit the medium in use at the time. Small hanging drops are then 

 distributed on the cover-slips and each one is seeded with one yeast cell. It was ex- 

 plained that by varying the proportions of the vegetable and mineral oil with the 

 varying surface tension of different media being used, easily handled, uniform drop- 

 lets, can be assured. 



The development of yeast cultures growing and sporulating in such droplets was 

 shown in a series of slides and by stopmotion photography, in a motion picture. 



The discussion of these papers was continued after the meeting was formally adjourned 

 at 5 :05 p.m., while tea was generously provided by The New York Botanical Garden. 



Edwin B. Mat/ke, Corresponding Secretary. 



February 2. Meeting in The Museum of Natur.^l History. 



The meeting was called to order by the President, Dr. Robbins, at 8:15 p.m. At- 

 tendance 43. The minutes of the preceding meeting were accepted. Five new members 

 were elected to Annual membership. Dr. Seaver reported that the Auditing Committee 

 had found the Treasurer's books in excellent condition. The report was accepted. Pres- 

 ident Robbins then read the names of those appointed to the various standing committees 

 of the Club. The scientific program was presented by Mr. G. L. Wittrock of The New 

 York Botanical Garden who spoke on "Local Plants Used by the American Indians," 

 and illustrated these with colored slides. After a discussion period the meeting ad- 

 journed at 9 :40 p.m. 



Honor M. Hollinghurst, Recording Secretary. 



February 17. Meeting at The New York Botanical Garden. 



The meeting was called to order at 3 :oO p.m. by the President, Dr. Robbins. At- 

 tendance 22. The minutes of the preceding meeting were approved. Two new Annual 

 members and one Associate member w-ere elected. The first speaker on the scientific 



