185 



balked by the lack of a satisfactory technique. Beginning in 1924, the 

 speaker has studied this problem intensively and there has resulted the 

 demonstrations, first that a differentiated plant organ, the root, could be 

 grown in a normal condition for indefinite periods (1934), second, that this 

 capacity is shared by roots of a great many, if not all, species of flowering 

 plants (1938), third, that such organs can be so grown in a relatively simple 

 nutrient, all of whose constituents are known and of high purity (1939), 

 fourth, that relatively simple masses of undifferentiated callus tissue can 

 likewise be grown for indefinite periods in this simple synthetic nutrient 

 (1939) and, fifth, that these undififercntiated masses are actually 'totipotent' 

 since they can be made to differentiate at will by subjecting them to rela- 

 tively simple treatments (unpublished). A technique such as was visualized 

 by Haberlandt and repeatedly sought since his day is thus now available. 

 Some of the steps in the development of this technique were presented in 

 detail and the implication of these steps were discussed briefly with illus- 

 trations to show the precision with which each factor can and must be con- 

 trolled. Some applications of the method were outlined and future prob- 

 lems suggested." 



Clyde Chandler 



Recording Secretary 



Meeting of May 2, 1939, at the American Museum of 

 Natural History 



The meeting was called to order by Air. George T. Hastings at 

 8.15 P.M.. Forty-nine persons were present. 



The following people were elected to membership in the Club : 

 Annual — Mr. Lawrence O. Dohrmann, 25-47 38th Street, Long 

 Island City, N. Y. Associate — Dr. Thelma G. Maginnis, 79 Wash- 

 ington Avenue, Arhngton, N. J.; Miss Cecelia Fortmiiller, 6217 

 Catalpa Avenue, Ridgewood, N. Y. ; Mrs. Alfred B. Thacher, 486 

 Scotland Road, South Orange, N. J. ; Mrs. Lillie Hellerman, 10 

 Westminster Road, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Mrs. Augusta Altschuler, 

 251 Herze Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 



The resignations of Dr. C. W. Argue, University of New Bruns- 

 wick, Fredericton, N. B., Canada, from annual membership and 

 Mr. Joseph Heikofif, 140 East 35th Street, Brooklyn, N. Y., from 

 associate membership were reported. 



No further business was transacted. 



The scientific program consisted of the showing of colored 

 slides, Kodochromes, and movies of "Travels in Inca Lands" 

 by Dr. E. H. Fulling, editor of Botanical Review. The speaker's 

 abstract follows : 



