96 



nized by the siliceous frustules of diatoms, etc., from which it is 

 never free. Other forms of Florideae are used as food-stuffs,, 

 attention being called to their figures in a Japanese popular work 

 on the useful plants of Japan. In regard to the food value of 

 algae it appears that many of them, especially the blue-green 

 forms, contain a very high percentage of proteids, though not 

 much else of value. The gelatinifying substances obtained from 

 the red forms appear to be a substance called gelose, which is 

 similar to, or identical with, the pectic substances so commonly 

 found, either deposited in the middle lamellae of the cells of 

 higher plants, or in the walls themselves. Mention was inci- 

 dentally made of the use of seaweeds in the manufacture of iodine 

 and soda-ash. 



Dr. Rusby exhibited specimens of Fiictis vcsicitlos?is and an 

 unnamed species of the same genus, which are used medicinally. 



Dr. Howe spoke of dulse as an article of food and of its occur- 

 rence in the markets of New York. 



After further discussion, adjournment followed. 



L. H. LiGHTHIPE, 



Sec. pro iciu. 



NEWS ITEMS 



Professor L. M. Underwood sailed for Antwerp on May 20. 

 He will spend a large part of the summer at Berlin and Kew. 



Mr. L. J. K. Brace, of Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, is 

 making collections in the western part of the Great Bahama for 

 the New York Botanical Garden. 



The fifth annual exhibition of the Horticultural Society of New 

 York was held at the New York Botanical Garden on May 10 

 and I I. l^rizes amounting to about $500 were offered. 



Dr. John Hendlcy Barnhart sailed for l{!urope on May 13 to 

 attend the International Botanical Congress at Vienna. During 

 the two or three months of his absence, the editor of Torrkva 

 will have charge of editorial matters relating to the Jhillcti)i of 

 the Torrey liotauical CItib. 



The first Walker prize, of $75, has been awarded b)' the l^os- 

 ton Society of Natural History to Dr. W. \\. MacCalluni, of the 



