Mountains. Composite and Leguminosa are well represented, also Carices and Graminea. Attention was called to the importance of noting those plants which occurred in masses, so as to give character to the landscape, during inflorescence. This catalogue will be published with the report of the Northern Boundary Survey. Prof. Seaman called attention to the interesting and extensive display in the department of Botany, especially the different woods, at the Centennial. June 26th. (207th meeting.) Mr. Seaman in the chair. Mr. Ward was chosen Secretary, pro tem. Dr. Vasey from the Committee on the Catalogue of plants of the District, reported that it was nearly completed and now being published. The committee appointed to report upon the Geology of the District reported, through its chairman, Mr. Seaman, that while a final report could not now be made the subject had received consideration. Mr. Dodge then read a paper on the "Comperative Scarcity of Insects in the Rocky Mountains." Remarks were made on the subject of the paper. Adjourned, to meet at the call of the Secretary at the usual time for the first fall meeting. FLORA COLUMBIANA. Continued from page 87, Vol. 1. A CATALOGUE of the plants growing without cultivation in the District of Columbia : 350. Tradescanti, L. 353. puniceus, L. var. vimineus, Torr & 354. Nova-Angliæ, L. 355. Canadense, L. 360. linariifolius, Hook. 363. bicolor, L. 373. Canadensis, L. 374. serotina, Ait. GLEANINGS IN FOREIGN FIELDS. Plant Fertilisation. Mr. M. S. Evans, writing from Natal, South Africa, gives, in a recent number of Nature, an account of plant fertilisation, through the agency of ants, that may prove interesting to entomologists as well as to botanists. He says: Some short time since I observed a rather curious case of plant fertilisation through the medium of insects, and I take the liberty of forwarding you the particulars in the hope that you can find a corner for them in your valuable journal. Growing rather abundantly, just on the coast here, is a small shrub belonging, I believe, to the sub-order Coffeæ, having numerous small greenish flowers, the interior of the corolla tube filled with silky white hairs, and the style bent in a peculiar manner, so as to bring it to one side of the tube. I observed the anthers dehisce before the flower buds open, covering the stigmatic surface (which is simply a thickened continuation of the style) with pollen. I noticed that all the individuals of this species of shrub were visited by a kind of ant in large numbers, and as soon as a flower opened they began pulling out the hairs, lining the corolla tube, and often biting off the stamens also, in order to clear a way down to the nectar contained at the bottom of the tube. In doing so they often support themselves hy clinging to the pollencovered style with their posterior legs. The bend in the style which brings it to the side of the corolla tube prevents it from being an obstruction while they are obtaining the nectar, although, so eager are they to get it even to the last drop, that in a few old flowers I noticed even the style removed. The pollen keeps dry for a considerable time, so that cross-fertilisation is effected by the removal of pollen from the stigma of one flower to that of another. We have here, therefore, several adaptations of structure and habit to ensure that end. The dehiscence of the anthers while in the bud removes the pollen from a part of the flower where it would in all probability be wasted (when the ants bite off the anthers) to another part, where by a peculiarity in its structure, viz., the bend in the style, it is protected and transferred to other flowers. The hairs in the corolla-tube, by rendering the approach to the nectar difficult, and thus making the use of the style as a support needful, also increase the chances of cross-fertisilation. Dogs Eating Wasps.-On several occasions this summer, I watched with much interest the excitement caused by wasps to a black and tan terrier. The moment one appeaaed on the window, he commenced barking furiously, trying with his paws to knock it down, which, if on the lower panes, he generally succeeded in doing; but the curious part was, that as soon as the insect was on the ground, the dog began turning it over and over with his tongue for about ten minutes, all the time making a peculiar hissing noise, dragging it sometimes half across the room, and eventually eating it with the greatest relish, but apparently unconscious of the danger of the sting if eaten immediately after death; but if he could pounce on one in the act of flying, he swallowed it at once with impunity, evidently regarding it as a bonne-bouche, from the frantic manner in which he pursued any that came in his way.S. M. P. in Science Gossip. EDITORIAL PENCILINGS. THE AMERICAN POSTAL MICRO-CABINET CLUB.-This club has now entered upon the second year of its existence. Its object is the circu lation, study, and discussion of microscopic objects, and its members may be any reliable persons accustomed to work with the microscope, and able to contribute good objects for examination. It operates by dividing its members into circuits of six each, the first of whom receives a box that will hold six slides, in which he places a slide, preferably one illustrating some new method of preparation, or result of study. The box is sent to the person next named on the list, who examines the first and adds another slide, and so on, till the round of the circuit is complete, when the box is transferred to a new circuit, affording each member an opportunity to examine all slides contributed. According to the published lists, the club now numbers twenty circuits, and the localities represented would seem to indicate that the interest felt in this department of scientific work was very local in character, no less than three circuits being located at Cleveland, Ohio, two at San Francisco, California, two at Boston and surburbs, one at New York City, and one mostly from its surburbs, making half the entire number. On the list we find the names of Rev. E. C. Bolles of Salem, Prof. C. E. Bessey of Iowa, Prof. Bicknell of Cambridge, Dr. Edwards of Newark, Prof. Biscoe of Ohio, and others. An analysis of the subjects of 36 slides contributed consecutively, gives ten of diatoms, eight of human histology, nine of general zoology, six botanical, two chemical, and one micro-photograph. With the present number of members, more than a year must elapse before a contribution returns for replacement, while the expense in money is limited to one dollar per annum, and has not yet exceeded fifty cents. We think the above data are sufficient to exhibit clearly the operations of the club, with the success of which we feel gratified. Every one can determine for himself its relative advantages. No doubt the larger share accrues to beginners and amateurs, but it is from this class that our eminent workers are recruited, and there are a sufficient number of the latter included to insure a considerable amount of valuable matter. In Europe such clubs have been in vogue for several years, and we |