60 Proceedings of Societies. [January, 
Dr. Asa Gray suggested that the capsules might be swollen without 
containing perfect seeds. 
September 20th. Dr. Leidy spoke of the structure and habits of cer- 
tain fresh-water rhizopods. In the genus Hyalosphenia the test or 
shell is homogeneous and transparent. Several species have been de- 
scribed, one of which had been discovered in the Sphagnum swamps of 
New Jersey, and from its resemblance to a butterfly, when the pseudo- 
pods or arms are extended, it had been named Hyalosphenia papilio. 
Pores were found to exist in the shell, through which the water passes 
in and out as the body dilates and contracts. Foreign substances ad- 
here to the naked Ameebas on the part of the body opposite to that from 
whence the pseudopods are protruded. A sluggish Ameba had been 
observed to swallow rhizopods with shells, and, after digesting the soft 
parts, the calcareous covering was ejected. Others had been observed 
to select specimens of diatoms having green digestible matter in their 
interior, from those which were not possessed of such nutritive material. 
At the request of Mr. Meehan, Dr. Engelmann, of St. Louis, spoke of 
the characters and geographical distribution of Abies Fraseri. It closely 
resembled the common balsam, Abies balsamea. The tree seems to be 
confined to the summit of a small number of mountains about six thou- 
sand feet in height. The most prominent distinguishing characters are 
found in the cones, which have protruding and recurved bracts, It 
has, however, been found that the microscopic structure of the leaves 
furnishes admirable distinctive characters. e peculiar structure of 
the leaves of all these trees allies them more closely to the ferns than to 
the higher plants. In Abies balsamea the cells under the epidermis 
which are devoid of chlorophyl or coloring matter are few in number, 
while in Abies Fraseri they are numerous and regularly distributed on 
the upper surface of the leaves. All the firs and many of the pines can 
thus be distinguished by the structure of the leaves alone. There are a 
great many plants in the mountains of North Carolina which are found 
only there. The name Black Mountains is due to the dark color of the 
Abies Fraseri, still more to Abies nigra. 
Mr. Martindale spoke of the introduction of plants from other local- 
ities. He had within the past week collected specimens of Leonurus 
sibiricus at the mouth of the Wissahickon. It appeared to be perfectly 
naturalized in a space four or five feet square. Mr. Redfield suggested 
that the seeds might have come in the foreign wool used in the mills 
farther up the river 
Mr. Canby najisi the rapidity with which Lespedeza striata had : 
spread over the western part of N orth Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and 
all over the Alleghany range. 
_ Mr. Gesner spoke of the great benefit derived from the growth of 
Lespedeza striata on pasture lands throughout the Southern States. It 
grew everywhere luxuriantly, and was eagerly eaten by cattle. It is 
salivating when eaten by horses, but not so when used by mules. 
