77 



species and lo subspecies, and with informal descriptions of about 

 250 less definite forms. The Biotian section of Astfr is one of the 

 most difficult and variable, and seems particularly active in pro- 

 duction of new forms, some other sections of Aster being quite 

 stable in comparison. Most of the larger and more conspicuous 

 species, with violet or lavender rays and glandular hairs constitute 

 as a subsection the Macrophylli, typified by the well-known Aster 

 DiacropJiylhis L. Specimens illustrating the principal species of 

 this subsection were exhibited and compared, and the speaker 

 described the results of his method of continued observation on 

 plant-colonies in unchanged natural habitat, with reference especi- 

 ally to the development of variations, and to distinction between 

 certain changes apparently due to environmental conditions and 

 other changes suggesting origin by mutation. 



NEWS ITEMS 



Dr. P. A. Rydberg, of the New York Botanical Garden staff, 

 has been devoting three weeks to studies in the United States 

 National Herbarium. 



Dr. C. F. Millspaugh, curator of the botanical department of 

 the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago, sailed for Europe in 

 the latter part of March. 



Dr. David Griffiths, of the Bureau of Plant Industry, is spend- 

 ing two months in grass and forage-plant investigations in Texas, 

 New Mexico, Arizona, and California. 



Fred William Foxworthy (Ph.D., Cornell, 1904) and Albert 

 Francis Blakeslee (Ph.D., Harvard, 1904) have recently been ap- 

 pointed to botanical positions in the service of the Philippine 

 government. 



Mr. William R. Maxon, of the United States National Her- 

 barium, sailed from New York on March 31, to spend two 

 months in making botanical collections in Costa Rica in behalf 

 of the New York Botanical Garden. 



