17 



that permitted jriowth to take place, it still greatly retarded it. 

 With further dilution the amount of retardation decreased until a 

 point was reached when the action became stimulative and the 

 rate of growth was considerably above the normal. This was to 

 be expected, as sufficiently dilute solutions of many toxic salts 

 are known to have a stimulating effect on plant growth. \\ ith 

 still more dilution the stimulative effect became less marked until 

 the normal rate of growth was again reached. Very unexpectedly, 

 however, it was found that when dilutions were carried still 

 further, instead of remaining at the normal, a distinct retardation 

 of growth was again observed. As the dilution still increased 

 another point was reached where the effect was stimulative though 

 less strongly so than in the first case. Some of the series of 

 dilution cultures showed as many as three distinct succeeding 

 waves of depression and stimulation following each other with 

 decreasing strength. Further experiments in this interesting 

 field are in progress. 



The second paper was by Mr. G. V. Nash on " A Collecting 

 Trip to Haiti." It was illustrated by a large number of photo- 

 graphs and herbarium specimens and gave a graphic account of 

 the experiences of a botanical collector in this interesting but 

 little known country. The difficulties of travel are ver}^ great. 

 No one is allowed to travel in the interior at all without thor- 

 oughly satisfactory letters to the authorities. Even with govern- 

 ment permission secured, no accommodations for the white 

 traveler could be found except for the unfailing hospitality of the 

 priests, who are nearly all educated Frenchmen. They are very 

 often the only white men in their districts. 



The flora of the sea-shore is much the same as in the other 

 West Indies, but as one goes toward the interior the character 

 of the vegetation soon changes and a large proportion of inter- 

 esting endemic species is found. F. S. Earle, 



Recording Secretary. 



NEWS ITEMS 



Professor F. S. Earle, of the New York Botanical Garden 

 sailed on February 25 for a few weeks' visit to Cuba. 



