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two species of Pin us (P. echinata and P. Strobus), and beech and 

 hickory nuts. Many seeds are now being determined by experts 

 of the Department of Agriculture. When the determination of 

 the seeds is completed a good account of the ancient flora of that 

 region can be given. A comparison of the living with the fossil 

 plants of the locality shows that, except for the cypress, the plants 

 now growing seem the same as those there in Pleistocene time. 



In discussing the conditions attendant on the formation of the 

 ancient flora and its disappearance. Dr. Hollick stated that the 

 land had undergone elevation twice and subsidence twice. The 

 first elevation preceded the formation of the flora, which was to 

 be found mainly in the valleys. The area was then depressed 

 and completely submerged, and at length was covered by sand 

 brought in by the waves. After the first elevation and during 

 the first subsidence deposits were formed either in situ, as swamps, 

 or at the mouths of the valleys by transported material. These 

 after the second elevation are now being exposed by erosion. 

 The second subsidence is now taking place, and a second series 

 of vegetable deposits is being laid down. The rate of this sub- 

 sidence has been calculated to be about two feet in the century. 



Edward S. Burgess, 



Secretary. 

 NEWS ITEMS 



Mr. Homer D. House, Syracuse University, 1902, has entered 

 Columbia University as a graduate student in botany. 



Professor A. D. Selby, botanist of the Ohio Agricultural Ex- 

 periment Station, is carrying on some special lines of research at 

 the New York Botanical Garden. 



The editor of Torreya spent the greater part of the months of 

 October and November in Florida, studying and collecting the 

 marine algae of that region. 



A suggestive nature study leaflet entitled " Plant-Travellers " 

 has recently been issued by Professor Clarence Moores Weed, of 

 the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. 



The large collection of West Indian and South American ferns 

 accumulated by the late George S. Jenman, of Georgetown, British 

 Guiana, has been purchased by the New York Botanical Garden. 



