i6 



As a cumulative result, checked by comparisons of the re- 

 lated fossils from the Paleozoic period onwards, it is possible to 

 conclude definitely that the more massive Eusporangiate Ferns 

 were of prior existence to the more delicate Leptosporangiate 

 Ferns: indeed it seems probable that the latter were not even 

 existent in the Paleozoic period. It has further been found pos- 

 sible to plot out the main families of ferns into a phyletic scheme, 

 suggesting their relationships, not an "Evolutionary Tree" but 

 in some more loose sense indicating affinities based upon their 

 features as compared, and with the results checked according to 

 paleontological data. Such a scheme was submitted. 



Further, the question of the ultimate origin of the class was 

 discussed. It was pointed out that if a precis, or verbal speci- 

 fication were drawn up, embodying all the characters held to be 

 most archaic in Ferns as at present known, that specification 

 would present a primitive organism not unlike such Devonian 

 plants as Rhynia or Hornea. It is not suggested that anyknown 

 fossil is the actual progenitor of Ferns as we know them. But it 

 is suggested that Ferns may have taken their origin from vege- 

 tation of the type now recognized, and known in form and struc- 

 tural detail, as existing in early Devonian time. 



Arthur H. Graves, 



Secretary. 



NEWS NOTES 



The Wagner Free Institute of Science of Philadelphia is to 

 publish a quarterly bulletin. Volume II of the Transactions is 

 now in press with a paper on the Chemistry and Physiology of 

 North American Pitcher Plants by Dr. Joseph S. Hepburn. 



Dr. Charles F. Chandler, for many years professor of chemistry 

 at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and a lecturer at the 

 New York College of Pharmacy, died on August 25th last. He 

 was a lover of plants and much interested in botany. For a 

 number of years he was one of the Scientific Directors of the New 

 York Botanical Garden. 



Dr. Ralph W. Tower of the American Museum of Natural 

 History died on January 26th. Dr. Tower was for a long time 

 the editor of the weekly bulletin of the New York Academy of 

 Sciences. 



