59 



four, and then of six cells in two parallel rows, with the long 

 suspensor, of three greatly elongated cells, reaching into the 

 tissues of the style for nearly half its length. 



The embryo occupies a vertical position in the center of the 

 berry, and from its position in the surrounding tissue, suggests 

 all the characters of an orthotropous ovule. As the embr)^o 

 develops, it is surrounded with endosperm. A change in the 

 nature of the tissue below the embryo suggests a series of con- 

 ducting cells between the embryo and the starch-filled cells in 

 the lower part of the ovary. The cotyledons become green, and 

 the suspensor gradually disappears, except for a few capping 

 cells at the anterior end of the embryo, which now occupies the 

 ovarial cavity for almost its entire length. 



The points of particular interest are : the rapid disintegration 

 of the cells of the gynoecium before and after fixation, the lack 

 of an ovule as a distinct organ, the lack of integument, and the 

 green color of the embryo as it lies in the berry. 



" Botanical Observations in Iceland and Spitzbergen", by Miss 

 Julia T. Emerson.* 



Dr. Britton showed a photograph of a new and interesting 

 cycad collected by Dr. MacDougal and Dr. Rose in Tomellin 

 Canon, Mexico, in 1906. The plant was sent to the New York 

 BQtanical Garden and installed in the propagating houses, where 

 it remained for two years before showing any signs of growth. 

 This appears to be a new species oi Dioon. 



Dr. Murrill exhibited a number of tropical fruits obtained on 

 his recent trip to Jamaica. 



The Club adjourned at 5:10 p. m. Percy Wilson, 



Secretary 

 February 9, 1909 



The Club met at the American Museum of Natural History at 

 8:15 p. M. and was called to order by President Rusby. The 

 attendance was 20. After the reading and approval of the 

 minutes of the preceding meeting, resignations were read and 

 accepted from Mr. LeRoy Abrams, Mr. W. Ralph Jones, and 

 Mr. John M. Holzinger. 



* Printed in full in this issue of Torreya. — Editor's Note. 



