113 



arctic, all on the same meridian. The Himalayas act as a 

 tremendous barrier and their southern slopes have abundant 

 rains so that in most places, especially above 8,000 feet, the 

 vegetation is luxuriant and rich Alpine meadows extend to the 

 snow line which is about 15,000 feet. 



"On the Tibetan side of the 'great range' the transition is 

 rapid to a desert flora. Pencil cedar, Tamarix, Myricaria, 

 Elaeagnus , Hippophae and willow seem to be the only common 

 indigenous trees, but on irrigated bits of land the apricot, mul- 

 berry, apple, balsam poplar, Lombardy poplar and several 

 willows grow readily up to 12,000 ft. Wheat, buckwheat, 

 barley and peas are the best crops. The barley and buckwheat 

 ripen readily at 14,000 ft. where the snow line is 19,000 feet. 

 Vascular plants have been found right up to this tremendous 

 height. The struggle for existence is not between plant and 

 plant, but between plants and nature as great patches have no 

 vegetation whatever. Where irrigation is possible, however, 

 the yield is excellent and wild herbs and shrubs spring up 

 luxuriantly along irrigation ditches where they get some seepage. 

 The Compositae, Gramineae, Leguminosae, Labiatae, Caryo- 

 phyllaceae and Ranunculaceae are especially common families. 

 Monocotyledons, mosses, ferns and saprophytes are rare." 



Following the lecture. President Harper called attention to 

 an interesting form of Elfvingia megaloma placed on exhibition 

 by Dr. Fisher. This fungus was an exceedingly large specimen 

 upon which several secondary sporophores had developed sub- 

 sequent to the falling of the tree upon which it had originally 

 developed. 



Adjournment followed. 



B. O. Dodge, 



Secretary 

 February 24, 1915 



The meeting of February 24, 191 5, was held in the morpho- 

 logical laboratory of the New York Botanical Garden at 3:30 

 P.M., President Harper presiding. Twenty-five persons were 

 present. 



The minutes of the meetings held January 27 and February 9 

 were read and approved. . 



