1893.] Proceedings of Scientifie Societies. 591 
of the cambium layer of this old stump could have been concentrated 
into a few buds and their resultant shoots, the struggle for existence 
would have been more successful. It would seem, even in the absence 
of positive evidence, as though the prolificness with which the buds 
were formed seriously retarded the survival of any, and thus the abil- 
ity of the cambium layer of this stump to restore the interrupted 
growth was handicapped by the opportunity afforded for abnormal 
budding effort through the supply of nourishment obtainable from the 
uninjured half. 
Mr. George Dupuy exhibited a series of about 400 drawings repre- 
senting Staten Island pond life—diatoms, desmids, algae and infusoria 
—all drawn to scale on cards, handsomely colored and arranged. 
The Biological Society of Washington.—April 8.—The fol- 
lowing communications were made: Professor J. W. Chickering—The 
Botanical Landscape; Frederick V. Coville—Characteristics and 
Adaptations of a Desert Flora; Dr. C. W. Stiles—Notes on Parasites ; 
The Cause of “ Measly Duck,” with|microscopic demonstration ; Dr. 
R. R. Gurley—Natural Selection as Exemplified by the Cackling of 
Hens. 
April 22.—The following communications were made: Mr. O. F. 
Cook—Notes on the Natural History of Liberia; Dr. J. N. Rose— 
Two New Trees of Economic Importance from Mexico; Dr. V. A. 
Moore—Observations on the Distribution and Specific Characters of 
the Streptococci Group of Bacteria; Dr. Erwin F.Smith—Peach Yel- 
lows and Plant Nutrition. FREDERICK V. COVILLE, Secretary. 
Geological Society of Washington.—A Geological Society has 
recently been organized in Washington, D. C., for the presentation and 
discussion of topics of interest to geologists. The constitution and 
standing rules were subscribed to by 109 founders at the first public 
meeting, March 8th, 1893. Its members are of two classes, active and 
corresponding. The annual dues of the first are $2, and of the second, 
$1. Meetings will be held on the second and generally also on the 
fourth Wednesday of each month from October to May, inclusive. — 
The journals and bulletins of the various societies appear to furnish 
sufficient opportunity for the publication of papers read before the 
Society, so that for the present the Society will not undertake to pub- 
lish the papers presented. It will probably issue one bulletin each 
year containing the address of the retiring President, and such other 
matter as the Council directs. J. S. DILLER, Secretary. 
