Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-07
THE BOTANISTS.
Facts about Fresh-Wafer AIgT, Tree
Roots in Sewers, and Dangerous
Ennui.

The first monthly meeting OF the botanical sec
ton OF the Biological society was held wednes-
day evening IN the reception room or Columbia
University. Prot. Edward Burgess, OF the High
school, read an exhaustive paper On the progress
OF the Study OF the fresh-water algie These are q
group OF green foweriess plants found in salt and
fresh water, Few OF which are useful, few
poisonous. and nearly all very beautiful The
study OF these plants he said, is comparatively
cent Ray. In 1724, published descriptions Of
about twenty species, and was the first TO give
them careful attention. Lfnn@u5 added nothing
10 our knowledge Of them, and united all fila-
genus sonterSa' Among fI later foreign stun THe
dents OF algse was the modest French
worker Drspernald. whose labors are commemo-
alyologists OF this country are Prof. Wood, whose
PrOdrOmus was published by the Smithsonian In
stitution and DR.. Billings of this city, who col
INST important addition TO our knowledge OF these
plants, Professor Burgess thought, and one which
now places their study within the reach or all
this country the past summer by Francis Wolfe.
and containing 800 figures, with descriptions OF
hundreds OF species new 10 America, and fifty spe-
cies and eighteen varieties new TO science.
TREE ROOTS AS SEWER DISTRACTIONS.
The second paper was by Prof. +. ii. Knowlton
on n case OF sewer obstruction by tree roots. A
map Of fbrous roots was exhibited which was
taken from DISTRACTED sewer In this city by Mr..
which roots sometimes penetrate, Prof. KnowltOn
SAID, Is remarkable The roots of clover have been
found y feet below the surface and those OF pars-
nips IA feet. Roots OF the elm have been known
10 Oostruct an aqueduct so feet distant, and In
one instance a tile drain was filed which was 4J0
feet away. Some roots absorb moisture only from
free or liquid water. while Others will die II placed
In such water and can obtain their supply only
from microscopic water, or that which adheres to
the particles OF Ordinary soil This fact explains
why the roots OF certain trees are troublesome In
drains and OF others not
PARASITIC FUNGI IN THE SOUTHWEST.
Prof 5. NJ Tracy, OF Mississippi, followed with
an account OF the parasitic fungi collected In a
recent trip In the interest OF the Department of
Agriculture, through the arid regions OF Arizona
New Mexico, and California The most important
Of these was that causing the disease known as
the hOllyhock crust, and which until recently was
known only In Europe. IL was first discovered in
this country by Prof Farlow, In southern Califor-
Ola, and Is now found by Prof Tracy In Arizona
should IL make its appearance farther eastward II
is feared that 1t will do serious injury 10 the cot
ton crop.
Miss E A. Soutkworth gave an account OF the
fungus which causes the disease known as the
bean-rust, which she has been investigating under
the direction Of the Commissioner OF Agriculture,
The published descriptions OF the fungus were
shown 10 be erroneous but there Is still some
tanty In regard 70 its life history and position in
the classification