48 



palustris from New Jersey, and a request was made that mem- 

 bers on trips within the range of the Club report the finding of 

 this shrub which is rare in our vicinity. As usual in mid-winter, 

 Hamamelis mollis, H. japonica, H. vernalis, and Salix gracili- 

 styla were in bloom on the grounds of the Botanical Garden. 



A brief pause before the unique exhibit of aquatic plants 

 led to recognition by the party of various familiar plants of our 

 region, viz: — Lysimachia Nummularia, Peltandra virginica, 

 Brasenia Schreberi and a Sphagnum masquerading as a sub- 

 merged species! Elodea canadensis, now properly known as 

 Anacharis, various Potamogetons, Ceratophyllum demersum, 

 Utricularia vulgaris, Najas flexilis, Proserpinaca pectinata, 

 Lemna minor, etc., were of interest. 



Fontinalis antipyretica, one of the common species of water 

 moss and doing particularly well, growing from a small rock, 

 and a Marsilea species, attracted attention. 



Perhaps the most fascinating plant was Vallisneria spiralis, 

 in flower, the exaggerated scapes of the fertile flower showing 

 distinctly the coiled condition which occurs only after fertiliza- 

 tion has taken place. This is the plant so much sought after by 

 various ducks which feed upon its roots and tender shoots, 

 particularly in our lakes and southern marshes. 



The canvasback has earned the title of the most celebrated 

 of American ducks for the epicure, due to its being fattened on 

 the wild celery. "Eel Grass" is another name for this same 

 species, but should not be confused with Zostera marina which 

 is strictly limited to brackish waters, particularly tidal inlets. 



A visit to the Zoological Garden followed. Due to zero 

 weather preceeding this day's trip, Agassiz Lake and the Wild 

 Fowl Pond were tightly frozen, save for a small area close at 

 hand, thus enabling us to study birds of the wild to our entire 

 satisfaction. About 800 black ducks, many evidently the red- 

 legged black duck, were lazily enjoying the day. Baldpates, 

 pintails, one female hooded merganser, a pair of green-winged 

 teal and a male European teal helped to enliven the scene. 



Within the confines of the bird house were seen a number of 

 native birds, and through the kindness of Mr. Samuel Stacey, 

 head keeper of the bird department, we were privileged to 

 have an intimate glimpse of the daily bird life there represented. 

 The extraordinary intelligence of certain species, the ready 



