46 



The second paper was by Dr. J. C. Arthur on " An interesting 

 unpublished Work on the Fungi." This paper was printed in the 

 issue of ToRREYA for February. 



The third paper was by Dr. N. L. Britton on " The Birch 

 Trees of North America." Recent study in arranging the den- 

 drological exhibit in the Museum, has shown the necessity for a 

 further investigation of our arborescent flora. In some genera, 

 notably in Fraxinus, too many species are now recognized and 

 some reductions will be necessary. In the birches on the con- 

 trary, it is necessary to recognize at least four new species. One 

 of these is in the Alleghany region, and the others are north- 

 western. F. S. Earle, 



Recording Secretary. 



February 9, 1904 



The following persons were elected to active membership : 

 Miss Margaret H. Stone, 254 West 93rd St., N. Y. City; Miss 

 L. A. C. Howard, University Heights, N. Y. City ; Miss Marion 

 E. Latham, 417 West 148th St., N. Y. City; Miss Aurelia B. 

 Crane, Scarsdale, Westchester Co., N. Y. 



The committee on field excursions presented its annual report 

 for 1903. It was received and ordered placed on file with the 

 minutes. 



The first paper on the scientific program was by Mr. Homer 

 D. House on " The Influence of some Aluminium Salts on Plant 

 Growth." The paper was a preliminary report on some experi- 

 ments with aluminium sulphate, aluminium potassium sulphate, 

 aluminium nitrate and aluminium chloride to test their effect on 

 plant growth when used in very weak solutions of varying 

 strength. The seedlings of Lnpinits alhiis were used in these 

 tests as being best adapted to the purpose on account of their 

 rapid vigorous growth and also because they have been pre- 

 viously used in similar tests with other toxic salts. The results 

 obtained with all four of these salts were entirely parallel but 

 those with aluminium sulphate were most marked. All were 

 very poisonous and entirely inhibited growth till very dilute 

 solutions were reached. When the point of dilution was reached 



