The shedding of the twigs of woody plants may in many cases be entirely an adaptation to get rid of the leaves as in the case of the dwarf branches of Pines and the young twigs of Tamarisks. But even in the Tamarisks it is doubtful whether the joints formed in the older branches can be claimed to have such a purpose, since in this case the leaves have all been shed with the annual twigs. The shedding of the old woody branches may have a different purpose. In regard to the trees mentioned above, we think that the process is one primarily to rid the tree of surplus branches. This would manifestly be an advantage and would give room and opportunity for the development of many young leafy shoots every year without accumulating too great a mass of useless members. This is certainly the case with the poplars and the willows. In no case do we think it admissible to say that the adaptation is primarily for the purpose of propagation, although this may be a very important incidental result in such plants as the willows when growing in wet places. In the case of Ampelopsis cordata, the only reasonable explanation seems to be a preparation for the winter condition, since the branches which are shed do not ripen and the plant has an admirable method for shedding its leaves. The slender branches would be in great danger of being killed by the cold of winter. The shedding of the young branches of Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich. is remarkably like that in Tamarix. The slender, dwarf branches clothed with the leaves drop off in the fall or the following spring. The habit must be quite ancient, as such branches of Taxodium distichum miocenum Hr. are very abundantly preserved as fossils. In Taxodium mexicanum Carr. the dwarf branches are not shed until the second year. Glyptostrobus pendulus Endl. and G. heterophyllus Endl. also have deciduous dwarf branches. There are other conifers and no doubt many other angiospermous trees which possess these interesting adaptations and by careful observations, no doubt many interesting ecological facts will be brought to light. PLANT NAMES COMMEMORATIVE OF OHIO BOTANISTS. CLARA ARMSTRONG. Though Ohio has had fewer botanists than many other States, some of these became known wherever botany was cultivated. Riddell was one of the pioneer botanists of the west and for six years he was a resident of this State. By the publication of his _Synopsis_ he contributed largely to Ohio Botany. The names of Sullivant and Lesquereux shed still greater luster on our state. Most of the work of the former and all of that of the latter was done in Ohio. Several others whose names are given below have been industrious students of our Flora, and have spent many years if not all their lives within our territory. It is a long and interesting list of botanical names which commemorates their scientific labors. In the preparation of this paper I have been aided materially by Prof. W. A. Kellerman.