Read Ebook: The Ohio Naturalist Vol. 1 No. 5 March 1901 by Ohio State University Biological Club

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It is desired that the pupils consult teachers, parents, and others, who may be able to advise as to the subject, kind and extent of the work, also as to the best arrangement and wording of the report, and the labelling and preparation of the accompanying illustrative material.

The report is to contain a detailed account of the work actually done by the pupil and in no case to contain anything not his own.

The names of those entering the competition must be sent to the undersigned on or before March 30th. The suggestions, directions and explanation of the three subjects proposed are as follows:

BRYOLOGICAL.--All the kinds of Mosses in the region should be collected and put under slight pressure till dry; then a small portion should be glued directly upon a piece of card-board and a larger amount placed in a paper pocket and attached to the same piece; the notes and drawings can also be attached to the same card-board which for each species should be 8 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches. Most of the kinds can be found in fruit; the latter is a capsule on a slender stem called the seta. Specimens without fruit are not very satisfactory.

Tell in each case on what the specimen grows, as the ground, tree trunk, old log, rock, boulder, etc.; add other notes relating to its situation , abundance, appearance, general character , etc.

Draw an enlarged figure at least of the capsule of some or all of the species collected. In the early stage there is usually a cap on the capsule. When the capsule is ripe it opens by a lid for the escape of the spores. Notice the teeth surrounding the mouth of the capsule--evident when the operculum falls off.

A good pocket lens must be used for this work. The drawings must be clear; after completed with a sharp lead pencil it would be well to retrace with a fine pen and india ink. Excessive shading of the figures is objectionable.

LICHENOLOGICAL.--All the kinds of Lichens in the region should be collected. The little disks, or saucer-like bodies, on the plants are the fruit ; the apothecia are more distinct and striking in appearance, as is the whole plant also, when moist; therefore the best time to collect lichens is after a prolonged rain, or when the air is moist; when dry they are usually brittle and cannot be satisfactorily handled.

Do not save specimens that have no fruit, except in case of rare species. Only enough pressure on the specimens should be brought into requisition as is necessary to keep them from curving or crumpling while drying. Then glue a specimen to a card-board, 8 1/4 x 11 1/2 inches, and also attach a paper pocket containing ample material, and the drawings , also the notes, to the same piece of card-board. Use a separate card-board for each kind .

Tell the substratum on which the specimen was found--as boulders, limestone, sandstone, log or stump, fence-rail, tree or plant, soil, etc. Give additional notes as to appearance, size, abundance, habitat, habit, etc. Those growing on rocks can not generally be removed--a thin piece of rock must be chipped off to secure them.

A detailed description should be written of each kind ; drawings perhaps might be undertaken; the different species should be compared and contrasted. Use a good pocket lens. There is no text-book on Lichens that is usable by beginners.

Instead of the above one may study and identify all the kinds of trees in the region. Full descriptions should be written out, and similarities and contrasts of different species noted. Give uses of the kinds of woods only when such use is made in the region or the near town or city. Collect twigs and fasten them to card-boards . Attach a specimen of the fruit also when it can be found under the tree. A pamphlet with a Key to the Ohio Forest Trees by means of which the names can be determined, may be obtained from the writer.

A third method of carrying out the work on trees would be to give an account of the forest area in the region--either taking a square or rectangular tract of a mile or more in extent; or selecting if possible a natural area, as a river or creek valley, or other obviously bounded tract of ample dimensions. Draw a map of the selected region and locate thereon the forests and groups of trees. Describe them, indicating the prominent kinds of trees, the less abundant species, and the very rare ones. Tell approximately the size of the largest, the commonest size, etc. Note uses made of some of the kinds in the region or at a near manufactory. Record other observations.

MINOR PLANT NOTES, NO. 2.

W. A. KELLERMAN.

TARAXACUM ERYTHROSPERMUM.--The Red-seeded Dandelion, now known to be common in our State, is a late bloomer. An abundance of flowers may be seen way after the severe frosts of autumn set in. Mr. Fred. J. Tyler collected specimens in bloom at Perry, Lake County, December 17. He reports "great fields" of it at that place, whereas the common Dandelion was conspicuous by its absence. Prof. Beardslee of Cleveland, reports the Red-seeded form as the one of common occurrence in Cuyahoga County. I have noted the Red-seeded form in bloom near the city of Columbus December 23, though the month has been a cold one, the thermometer registering once 10? F. The Common Dandelion does not seem to bloom so late in the season--at least it is in bloom much less abundantly here. Contributions of phenological observations on interesting plants of our flora by readers of THE NATURALIST are in this incidental way earnestly solicited.

GROVE OF LARGE BEECHES.--There are now remaining in Ohio very few large groves of beeches. Of groves of very large beeches the same may be said. At Arion, in Scioto County, in the narrow valley of Brush Creek, are a large number of magnificent specimens of this very attractive American tree. The trunks are straight as is always the case for this species, smooth, and many of them are ten to twelve feet in circumference. One specimen measured twelve feet four inches, three feet from the ground. The grove is now used for picnic and camping purposes, and it is sincerely hoped that these splendid trees may be sacredly preserved for an indefinite time.

HABITAT OF RHAMNUS CAROLINIANA.--The manuals give the habitat of this species "in swamps and on low grounds" , "swamps and river banks" , "river banks" , and "fertile soil" . It has been previously reported that this species was found in Ohio last November. Several specimens were found near the Ohio river in Adams county at the mouth of Brush creek, and a few were seen in Brown county. In a little ravine on Cedar creek, a tributary of Brush creek, in Adams county, fourteen miles north of the Ohio river, an enormous number of plants were growing. Some were nine to eleven inches in circumference at the base and fourteen feet high. None occurred in "swamps," though many were in "low grounds" where the soil seemed to be fairly fertile. The majority were on rocky hillsides or quite on the top of very high ground. The annexed cut shows a specimen near the top of a rocky bluff or hill perhaps one hundred and fifty feet above the valley at Cedar Mills, Ohio. This southern Buckthorn still retained its shining leaves though my visit was late in November when nearly all the other trees except the oaks were bare. This, with the great quantities of black fruits, presented a charming spectacle. The plant is also reported in Stanley Coulter's catalogue of Indiana plants, discovered in the southern counties by Mr. W. T. Blatchley, "growing on rocky hillsides."

TWIN TREES; TWO SPECIES.--Sometimes two trees attempt to occupy the same space at the same time. The cut above shows a red oak and a beech in close juxtaposition, neither having been able to crowd the other out, and the two are united for a short distance from the ground. This would hardly be called a natural graft perhaps, though the two are intimately united. The trees are vigorous typical specimens of the two species, growing near Brush creek, at Arion, in Scioto county, Ohio. Several other examples in the same region were noticed. Sometimes the two trees are the same species, but usually of different species, the union of tissue in all cases equally evident.

MEETING OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB.

A meeting of the Biological Club was held in Zoological Lecture-room January 7, 1901. Professor Osborn presided; twenty-three members present.

Professor Hambleton read a paper on his Explorations in southern Chile and Patagonia. He said:

A study of the flora of the region traversed by the party brought to light the following facts: That the Peninsula of Taitao marks the division line between the rich and varied flora of the Llanquihue region and the monotonous flora of the Magellan Strait region.

Professor Mills gave a report of the Baltimore meeting of Anthropologists, and Professor Osborn gave a short account of a visit with Dr. P. R. Uhler, and called attention to some of the Zoological papers read before the meeting of the Society of Naturalists.

J. K. Knox, Miss Mary Dresbach, Miss Mary C. Crawford, E. D. Coberly, C. C. Poindexter, A. F. Conradi and Miss Clara Tangeman were elected to membership.

The Society then adjourned.

JAS. S. HINE, Secretary.

Ohio State University

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FINEST GYMNASIUM IN THE WEST.

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Ohio Forest Trees Identified by Leaves and Fruit.

A neat pamphlet for every one who wishes to learn our native forest trees. Keys simple. Description plain. Can learn the names of the trees easily.

Price reduced from 25 cents to 10 cents.

Bound copies at cost of binding, namely 20 cents.

Gives list of scientific and common names; distribution by counties.

W. A. KELLERMAN, COLUMBUS, OHIO

American Entomological Co.

ISSUED NOVEMBER 15th 1900.

Manufacturers of the Original and Celebrated SCHMITT INSECT BOXES.

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All by JOHN MERLE COULTER. A. M., Ph. D., Head of Dept. of Botany, University of Chicago.

ANIMAL LIFE: A First Book of Zoology.

ANIMAL FORMS: A Second Book of Zoology.

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