NOTES ON THE INFLORESCENCE OF CALLITRICHE. By Prof. JOSEPH SCHRENK, New York College of Pharmacy (Hoboken, N. J.). [ABSTRACT.] THE inflorescence briefly described. The bracts, considered as stipules by Caspary and as trichomes by Schenck, are really sacs or bladders filled with air. Their appearance, structure and development described. Their function is to increase the buoyancy of the tufts of leaves with the pistils and stamens in their axils. The palm-shaped hairs at the nodes are probably secretory organs. The histology of the fibro-vascular bundles shows that when pistil and stamens occur in the same axil, they are to be considered as a perfect flower. HYGROSCOPIC MOVEMENTS IN THE CONE-SCALES OF ABIETINEÆ. By Prof. ALBERT N. PRENTISS, Ithaca, N. Y. [ABSTRACT.] In most of the Abietineæ, soon after the maturation of the cones, the persistent scales fold backward, or outward from the axis, to permit the ripened seeds to escape. The scales are very sensitive to moisture, and in many species exhibit very rapid movements when wet, as with rain. This is especially well seen in the cones of Tsuga Canadensis, in which the widely-open scales become completely closed in twelve minutes. This property of the cone scales, is found to be very efficient; first in loosening the seeds with their attached wing from the scale which bears them; and second, in favoring the wide dispersion of the seeds, as the cones open and close many times before all the seeds are sown, thus securing their transport in different directions by the varying winds. SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF THE SPECIES OF THE COLEOPTEROUS GENUS LACHNOSTERNA. BY JOHN B. SMITH, U. S. National Museum, Washington, D. C. [ABSTRACT.] THE species of Lachnosterna, though large in size, have always been most difficult to separate. The most recent work of Dr. George H. Horn on this genus has aided in the separation of the species, while not clearing up doubts in all the cases. In examining a very large series of freshly captured specimens, differences in sexual structure of the males became apparent, which cleared up all doubts of the specific limitation of species, and examination of a series of females confirmed the conclusions drawn from the males. Heretofore determination of the has been difficult without having also the ♂ at hand. In entomological literature thus far there has been considerable attention paid to these structures of the male, while I cannot find that the genitalia of the females have been examined. As a matter of fact they are correlated to those of the ♂, and every modification of the male is accompanied by a corresponding difference in the female. The further fact developed in the course of investigation, that there was absolutely no variation in these structures in either sex, within the limits of a species. The conclusions are therefore that however variable in superficial characters of color, vestiture, within some limits of sculpture as well, identity of genital structure indicates identity of species; while however similar in superficial characters, difference in genitalia indicates difference of species. ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE SKULL OF THE LARVA OF AMPHIUMA. By Prof. O. P. HAY, Irvington, Ind. [ABSTRACT.] THIS paper described the structure of the skull of the larva of Amphiuma while still within the egg, but near the time of hatching. The examination showed that its development is much further advanced than is that of related forms when they are excluded. There is a large fontanelle at the base of the skull on each side of the cranial notochord. The trabeculæ are slender, enclosing a large fontanelle and meeting in the nasal region. The cranial walls are low and the brain is mostly protected above by membrane alone. The otic capsules are large and have coalesced with the trabecule. The condyles are prominent and are ossified. The suspensorium has three processes: pedicle, otic process and an ascending process. Articulated to its posterior edge is a rod of cartilage, which overlies the facial nerve. The hyoid is partially ossifled, as is also a portion of the first branchial arch. The following membrane bones are developed: premaxillaries, vomers, frontals, parietals, squamosals, dentaries, angulo-splenials. No maxillaries are seen, but a row of dental papillæ shows where they will shortly appear. NOTICE OF A SUPPOSED NEW SPECIES OF BranchipuS FROM INDIANA. By Prof. O. P. HAY, Irvington, Ind. [ABSTRACT.] Most closely related to B. bundyi from Jefferson, Wisconsin. Differs therefrom in that the female has growing out from each dorso-lateral surface of the tenth segment a prominent lobe or process. Found at Irvington, Indiana. Named B. Gelidus, W. P. Hay. COLOR VARIATIONS OF NEBRASKA FLYING SQUIRRELS. By Prof. W. EDGAR TAYLOR, State Normal School, Peru, Neb. [ABSTRACT.] THE American flying squirrels present a range of geographical variation in size quite unparalleled in other members of the squirrel family. On the other hand the coloration is remarkably constant, almost exceptionally so; specimens from the same locality sometimes differ in the color of the dorsal surface as much as the most diverse examples from widely separated localities. Two varieties are recognized by naturalists, probably grading into each other. From a careful examination of typical specimens of the flying squirrel from Nebraska we may conclude: 1. The measurements correspond to the northern variety, while the colors correspond more nearly with the southern variety. 2. The local variations, in colors, are very great; these variations existing even in members of the same nest. 3. Locally, at least, the two varieties appear to grade into each other. 4. The degree of coloration on the same parts of different specimens does not vary in the same ratio. THE MUSCLES OF THE SOFT PALATE IN THE DOMESTIC CAT. By Prof. T. B. STOWELL, Cortland, N. Y. [ABSTRACT.] THIS Contribution to comparative anatomy is preliminary to an inquiry into the phylogenesis of the uvula palati. Two preparations are necessary for the study of the muscles of the soft palate; a hemisected and a transected head. In the hemisection can be seen to best advantage the relations of the respiratory and the alimentary passages, the eustachian tube, the tonsil and the epiglottis. The following muscles should be dissected in the same section: the levator, the pharyngo-staphyle and the glosso-staphyle. In the transection should be studied the length of the palate and its function in closing the passage from the oral to the pharyngeal cavity, thereby insuring an exclusively nasal respiration; in this section are demonstrated the origins of the levator and the tensor muscles. The soft palate is a continuation of the hard palate without the osseous plate. The muscles are striated, paired, receive their blood-supply from the ectal carotid artery and are innerved by the trigeminus, the facial and the glosso-pharyngeal nerves. The staphyle muscles shorten the velum and close the postnares. The levators act upon the middle of the velum and are most active in closing the postnares. The dilation of the ventral opening of the eustachian tube, usually referred to the tensor muscle, may be due to the action of the levators in closing the postnares so firmly that the forcible introduction of air expands the tube and drives the tympanic membrane laterad. The tensor gives firmness to the palate especially in deglutition. The pharyngo-staphyle and glosso-staphyle muscles close the isthmus of the fauces in deglutition. COMPARISON OF THE FLORA OF EASTERN AND WESTERN MICHIGAN IN THE LATITUDE OF 44° 40'. By Prof. W. J. BEAL, Agricultural College, Mich. [ABSTRACT.1] ON the western shore next to Lake Michigan, we find many southern plants not found on the eastern; on eastern many northern plants not found on western. Lists were given. OBSERVATIONS ON THE SUCCESSION OF FORESTS IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN. By Prof. W. J. BEAL, Agricultural College, Mich. [ABSTRACT.'] A STUDY of virgin forests shows very old, stunted plants like those in cleared land near by, excepting some coniferæ which are killed by fire. Fire has more than once been through some of the forests studied, as shown by the former killing of small trees to the ground. Pinus Banksiana is admirably adapted to succeed itself, as it fruits young, fruits abundantly, seeds retain vitality in cones closed up often for seven years or more. Some cones do not open until trees are killed by fire, then seeds drop on ground ready to favor growth. THE SYSTEMATIC POSITION OF THE RHIZOCARPEE. BY DOUGLAS H. CAMPBELL, Detroit, Mich. [ABSTRACT.] A. THE present position of the Rhizocarpeæ. B. C. Outline of the work of different investigators on the Rhizocarpeæ. Review of the author's work on various members of the order, and comparison with other Pteridophytes. D. Conclusions. POLLEN GERMINATION AND POLLEN MEASUREMENTS. By Dr. BYRON D. HALSTED, Agricultural College, Iowa. [ABSTRACT.] 1st part (1) The old methods of germination. (2) Tests on glass slides-in watch-glasses-in artists'well-slabs. (3) The control the method offers. (4) Facilities for comparative study of pollen. 2nd part-Measurements. (1) When dry and what is shown. (2) When wet and points demonstrated. (3) Importance of measurements being taken for both wet and dry pollen. 1 Printed in full in the Report of the Michigan State Board of Agriculture for 1888. OBSERVATIONS ON THE HOUSEBUILDING HABIT OF THE MUSKRAT. BY AMOS W. BUTLER, Brookville, Ind. [ABSTRACT.] THIS paper gave some observations on the structure of muskrat homes, noting certain changes that have occurred in the habits of the animal within historic time. The author also referred to the extension of the housebuilding habit and its rate of advancement, devoting attention to the causes of the changes noted. The observations were all made within the southeast quarter of Indiana. METAMORPHOSIS IN THE PLEURUM OF ALEURODES. By Prof. HERBERT OSBORN, Ames, Iowa. [ABSTRACT.] OBSERVATIONS on a species of Aleurodes during prepupal, pupal, and the imago stages show that the pleurum in prepupal stage is equal in extent, and not separable from the scales; that during the pupal stage it is detached from scale and in meso-and meta-thorax is rapidly altered in structure, while in prothorax and abdominal segments lobes are clearly defined. In the fresh imago slight pressure from above causes the extrusion of these lobes on prothorax and abdomen, showing that the pleurum is simply contracted to form the walls of the body, while no such expansion in mesoand meta-thorax indicates the modification of this portion of the pleurum to form the wings. Specimens showing these different steps in development were submitted for examination. ENTOMOLOGICAL MEMORANDA. By Prof. O. S. WESTCOTT, Maywood, Ill. [ABSTRACT.] (1) Further evidence of the carrion-loving propensities of certain diurnal Lepidoptera. (2) Alleged seasonal varieties of Melitoa tharos, viz., marcia and Morpheus equally abundant in the latter part of July at Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada. (3) Pupation of nocturnal larvæ on a gravel walk. (4) Evidence of the greater abundance of Lachnosterna gibbosa Burm. than that of Lachnosterna fusca Fröhl, in some localities. (5) Vast numbers of Crambidæ taken at light. (6) A successful insect trap. A PLEA FOR UNIFORMITY IN BIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE. By Dr. N. L. BRITTON, Columbia College, New York. |