84 Bulletin Wisconsin Natural History Society [VoL 12, Nos. 3 & 4 
Dr. Brinckley gave a short talk on the edible qualities of the tubers of 
the native arrowheads {Sagitaria, chiefly S. latifolia). He spoke of their 
aboriginal use b}'' the Indians, and the recent revival of the industry by the 
Chinese, particularly in the vicinity of Janesville and Neenah. These 
tubers were known to the Indians as ‘'wappetos;” and have been called 
locally, ^‘Chinese water-nuts.’’ This latter name, however, seems to be 
more especially applied to another somewhat similar plant product, the 
identity of which has not as yet been ascertained. Analyses made by 
Dr. Brinckley, of the arrowhead tubers, show a rich starch content; also 
that the proteid content is higher than that of the potato. Dr. Brinckley 
further stated that he was informed that as many as six car loads of the 
tubers were shipped eastward from Neenah in a single season. Their 
eventual destination and ultimate use can only, at present, be inferred. 
However, it is known that species of the arrowhead are cultivated in China 
as food. A recent bulletin issued by the United States Department of Ag- 
riculture states that the tubers are used for food in California. The speaker 
suggested that the undrained marsh areas of Wisconsin might be profitably 
utilized in the cultivation of these plants. 
The meeting then adjourned. 
Milwaukee, Wis., January 8, 1914. 
Meeting of the combined sections. 
President Barth in the chair. Five persons present. Minutes of last 
meeting read and approved. 
]\Ir. Russel commented on some of the problems suggested by Mr. Mon- 
roe’s paper on Wisconsin asters, which is to be published in the ne»t num- 
ber of the Bulletin. In this connection, he said that it was essential that 
collectors pay more attention to the recording of ecological data, especially 
for those groups of plants which show great variation, such as certain genera 
of the Compositae. 
The meeting then adjourned. 
