75 



the structure of stomata. Hutchinson refers to the studies of 

 Sinnott and Bailey, but considers that Ranunculaceae cannot 

 have been derived from any existing woody group, and that often 

 herbaceous groups may have evolved woody types. By this 

 separation Hydrangeaceae become widely separated from Saxifra- 

 gaceae, Myrsinaceae from Primulaceae; such groups as Umbelli- 

 florae, Asterales and Urticales are considered polyphyletic, having 

 had separate woody and herbaceous ancestral lines; these appear 

 to be difficult points to accept. A number of largely herbaceous 

 families, such as Malvaceae and Cucurbitaceae are included with 

 the woody division. 



Both works are copiously illustrated. In Hutchinson's book 

 the numerous clear maps showing distribution of families or 

 genera are of special value. An artificial key to all families 

 extends over nearly forty pages. 



Will floras adopt the new system? The use of works on sys- 

 tematic botany is much simplified by somewhat uniform classi- 

 fications; it is a great advantage when floras of difi^erent regions 

 more or less correspond with each other. Nearly forty- years 

 have passed since the presentation of the Engler system, and 

 the necessity for modification is becoming increasingly appar- 

 ent. The evidences as to the course of plant evolution are as 

 yet somewhat conflicting. Yet for the practical purposes of 

 floras we must hope that a desire to agree may to some extent 

 modify the diversity of international botanical opinion. 



Brooklyn Botanic Garden. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE CLUB 



Meeting of February 24, 1926 



This meeting was held at the N. Y. Botanical Garden Museum 

 Building. Miss Helen Wing, of Upper Montclair, New Jersey, 

 was elected to membership. 



The first speaker on the scientific part of the program was 

 Dr. Gundersen, who addressed the Club on "Observations on 

 the structure of the Frankeniaceae. " He stated: 



The little family of the Frankeniaceae includes mostly rather 

 inconspicuous plants of desert or dry regions. Four genera are 

 recognized, two from southern South America, one from Persia, 



