MEETINGS OF THE BIOLOGICAL CLUB.
May Meeting.
The Biological Club met in Zoological Lecture Room May 6, 1901.
Professor Schaffner reported that the committee appointed to consider the disposition to make of exchanges, had had a meeting and appointed Professor Osborn to consider the matter further.
Professor Landacre gave a paper entitled A Study of Passalus Cornutus. He gave the more important conclusions he had arrived at, after an extended study of the muscular and skeletal systems of that beetle.
Mr. Griggs read a paper on Vernation in the Willows.
Moulds and other Fungi Injurious to Foods was the title of a paper given by Miss Mary Dresbach. She gave a list of fungi found on food products.
In discussing this paper Professor Schaffner said the moulds are of public interest and many important results may be expected from an extended study of them. Professor Kellerman said that moulds are an important factor to guard against in canning fruit. It would be a great step in advance if fruit could be canned and kept without its being cooked beforehand.
Miss Elma Perry gave a list of the edible fungi of Ohio. So far 200 species have been recorded and there are no doubt many yet to add.
Under the head of personal observations Prof. Kellerman showed some interesting variations in our common anemone. A paper on this subject appeared in the May number of The Ohio Naturalist.
June Meeting.
The June meeting of the club was held in Zoological Lecture Room on the evening of the third.
The editor-in-chief of The Ohio Naturalist, Professor Schaffner, gave a financial statement for the year.
The Secretary read a communication from Professor Kellerman. This communication was concerned with the past and future of The Ohio Naturalist and an adjourned meeting was voted for its consideration. The following invitation was received from Professor W. D. Gibbs, Secretary of the Omega Chapter of the Society of Sigma Xi:
The Omega Chapter of the Society of Sigma Xi cordially invites the members of the Biological Club to be present at the final meeting of the Chapter, in the Physical Lecture Room, Saturday June 8th, at 11 o’clock a. m. to hear a lecture by Professor Charles F. Mabery on the subject: “The Petroleum Industry: Its Rapid Expansion and Future Promise.”
Dr. Bownocker delivered an instructive paper on “Oil and Gas in Southeastern Ohio.” The first oil well in that region was drilled about 1860 at Maxburg in Washington County. The wells in this region when first put down oftentimes yield 500 barrels or more daily but they soon decrease until the product of the same well may be only a few barrels each day. They are long-lived however and wells drilled in the Sixties are still producing. The oil in Southeastern Ohio has its origin in the various sands and therefore differs from that of Northwestern Ohio where all the oil is of limestone origin.
The speaker explained the nature of the country, especially in reference to the arches where practically all the oil is located.
H. S. Houghton not being present, Professor Landacre gave a short outline of the subject “A Study of the Muscular and Skeletal Structures in the Head of a 14 mm. Salamander.”
A. F. Conradi read a short paper on the subject “A Study of the Cecidomyidae and their effects upon Vegetation.”
The motion was made and carried that when we adjourn we adjourn to meet in the Zoological Lecture Room Friday evening, June 7th, at 4 o’clock, for the purpose of considering matters connected with the The Ohio Naturalist.
James S. Hine, Secretary.
With this issue The Ohio Naturalist completes its first year. The Editors to be chosen for 1901-2 will continue the Journal along the same lines and we trust that those interested in the natural history of Ohio, as well as others, will continue to give their encouragement and financial support.
A table of contents and a title-page of Vol. 1 will be sent out with the first number of Vol. 2.
John H. Schaffner.