The O. S. U. Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2, December, 1900Ohio State University. Biological Club
History
The O. S. U. Naturalist, Vol. 1, No. 2, December, 1900
Ohio State University. Biological Club
Natural history -- Ohio -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
SMILAX SPINULOSA AN EXTREME FORM OF S. GLAUCA.—The material secured
recently fortunately clears up the case unless I misapprehend the
purport of the above quotation. The “more elongated leaves” spoken
of may find their counterpart in the figures on plate 4, and yet
there can be no question that they belong to Smilax glauca. The
twigs bearing them were in many cases found _attached to the same
underground stems_ that bore the broad leaves. Even at a glance the
identity of the specimens in the field could not be mistaken; all
their characters showed that they were really Smilax glauca. In
herbarium specimens that have been preserved every gradation may
be seen between the extremes shown in the plate. These specimens
also show in some cases underground stems that bear both leaves and
twigs with leaves of the broader form. As a rule in the cornfields
where the soil is not rich and crop-cultivation has been diligent
the narrower leaves (on shorter stems) are common. In richer
cornfields, and in meadows, especially if quite fertile, the short
stems are clothed with the broader leaves. Abundant evidence was
at hand to demonstrate that this form with “more elongated leaves”
(S. spinulosa) is directly connected with the form called S. glauca
by the taxonomists. Its peculiarities are doubtless referable to
the special environment; in no case could these apparently aberrant
specimens be called a specific or even varietal form.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE 4.—Smilax glauca. Figure 1: Eight specimens of
tubers reproduced from photographs and much reduced. Fig. 2. Twigs
(1-6) bearing leaves of varying shapes also separate leaves (7-56)
illustrating variation in shape and size.
MEETINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB.
OCTOBER 1ST, 1900, BOTANICAL HALL.
This evening was spent in the giving of reports on work done during
the summer vacation. Osborn, Mills, Griggs, Tyler, Miss Dufour,
Schaffner and Hine gave reports. Seven names were proposed for
membership.
The motion by Professor Osborn to hold the meetings of the current
year in Biological Hall was carried.
Hine, Morse and Miss Dufour were appointed a nominating committee to
select officers for the year.
NOVEMBER 5TH, 1900.
Members assembled in Biological Hall. President Schaffner called the
meeting to order. Officers were elected as follows: Osborn president,
Tyler vice-president, Hine secretary.
Long, Wyman, Ball, Hambleton and Dunlap were elected to membership.
The retiring president, Professor Schaffner, gave the address of the
evening. He had for his subject “The Life History and Cytology of
Erythronium.”
Landacre and others took part in a discussion of the paper.
J. H. S.
NEWS AND NOTES.
The tenth annual meeting of the Ohio State Academy of Science will be
held at the Ohio State University, Columbus, on December 26 and 27,
1900.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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