The Ohio Naturalist. 
[Vol. XI, No. 1, 
2 1 6 
Some species of the Melanthaceae, notably of Vera t rum, have 
rhizomes from which tincture of veratrum is prepared. V. viride 
is used as a poison for insects in spraying for all biting forms and 
Chamaelirium lutium is used as a tonic. 
Hamerocallis fulva and species of Lilium in Liliaceae are very 
showy and ornamental plants. Various species of Allium includ- 
ing the wild onion and garlic are cooked and eaten by the various 
Indian tribes. 
In the Convallariaceae the young stems of Asparagus offician- 
lis are used as food; while the flowers of Convallaria majalis 
and Trillium grandiflorum are very ornamental. Narcissus 
pseudo-narcissus in the Amaryllidaceae, is an ornamental plant, 
and the roots of Dioscorea villosa in the Dioscoreaceae furnishes a 
medicine which possesses expectorant properties and promotes 
perspiration. The Iridaceae give some important species of which 
Iris versicolor possesses medicinal and ornamental values. It is 
regarded as an alternative diuretic and purgative. The species 
of Sisyrinchium are used as ornamental plants. 
Some of the Orchidaceae are important, particularly the 
orchids which are used for medicine and for ornamental plants. 
Species of Cypripedium yield a medicine used as an antispasmodic 
and nerve tonic. 
MEETING OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB. 
Orton Hall, May 9, 1910. 
The Club was called to order by the President, and the minutes 
of the previous meeting read, and approved. 
Miss Elsa Leue, and Mr. J. G. George were elected to member- 
ship. Prof. F. R. Marshall then spoke to the Club upon the 
subject, ‘‘Breed Records in the Study of Inheritance.” Mr. 
Marshall showed that the keeping of such records is quite impor- 
tant, and that interesting facts may be deduced from them. He 
gave a brief account of the system of registration of breed stock. 
The Secretary read a brief history of the Biological Club, 
from the time of its organization in 1888 to 1900. 
M. G. Dickey, Sec. 
Date of Publication, Nov. 21, 1910. 
