243 



The speaker called attention to a series of sheets of some fifteen 

 species, which he stated, were, until 1900, or a few years preced- 

 ing, classified under the name o'i Plantago patagonica Jacquin, or 

 to speak more definitely, since 1845 there had been but three 

 specific segregations from this composite and decidedly variant 

 group. One of these was described by Dr. J. K. Small, another 

 by Miss A. M. Cunningham, and another by Dr. E. L. Greene. 

 The misapplication of the name of Miss Cunningham's species to 

 a specimen received in exchange led to the study of the group 

 and the segregation of the species into two distinct types, those 

 with relatively long and definitely acute bracts, in distinction 

 from those with typically short and definitely obtuse or rounded 

 bracts. Among the group of perennial species of the genus, 

 reference was made to a species from Mt. Shasta, formerly in- 

 cluded in a species typical of only the extreme Southwest. 

 Reference was then made to a recent species from Alaska, char- 

 acterized by the marked septation or partitioning of the leaf 

 hairs. A most notable fact regarding this species is that the 

 next important collection of it was made in Montana. It appears 

 that no collections of this species have been made along the 

 Rocky Mountain legions between the Yukon and Montana 

 stations. The last group of species noticed was that belonging 

 to the typical South American subgenus Plantaginella, repre- 

 sented there by several species. A species recently reported 

 from Mexico belongs unquestionably to this groupj^ though 

 quite out of its formerly known range. The chief characteristic 

 of this species is the uniflorate spike, which, preceding anthesis, is 

 enclosed within a prominent sheathing bract. Then followed a 

 brief discussion of variation in our common eastern species, the 

 facts being noted that certain forms may soon require a segrega- 

 tion with the rank of species. 



A brief discussion followed the presentation of each of the 

 topics of the evening. 



Adjournment was at 9:45 o'clock. 



Winifred J. Robinson, 



Secretary pro tcm. 



