BOTANICAL NOTES.

ANOTHER FERN BOOK.

UNDER the simple title of 'Ferns' Dr. C. E. Waters, of Baltimore, has added another book of 362 large octavo pages to the quite creditable list of popular treatises on the ferns of the northeastern United States, and it has been given fitting form by the publishers, Holt and Company, of New York City. The work is intended for amateurs, and is in fact a popular manual based on analytical keys which can be used for the identification of ferns whether fruiting or not. This is accomplished by having, in addition to the usual key based on the fructification, another which makes use of characters derived from the stalks alone. In this the number and shape of the fibrovascular bundles are of primary importance, but to these are added other characters, as the size, color, ridges, grooves, etc., of the surface of the stalks. For the bundle characters good diagrams are used, and throughout the work there are about two hundred admirable halftone' reproductions of photographs, which must prove very helpful to the student, whether amateur or professional. The keys refer to fuller descriptions of each species, and these are all that one could wish in a book of this kind. There is first a short, somewhat technical description (in smaller type), and this is followed by a popular account which runs on with a charming freedom from conventionality. There is no attempt to treat every species in the same manner; on the contrary, the author seems purposely to have varied his treatment, often making an apt quotation of a stanza or two from some poem.

The nomenclature is nearly that of a decade or two ago, but modern synonyms are given sufficiently to make the book usable by those who have access only to very recent manuals. It is of little moment in a book of this kind what nomenclature is used, and for this reason the omission of the authority for the species is of no consequence. It is sufficient to say that the author knows ferns so well that his pronouncement may well be accepted by all amateur students of the ferns. The book should have a wide circulation among the large number of people who love ferns and

want to know something about them. It will also be found to be a very useful book in the library of the professional botanist.

ST. LOUIS AND THE BOTANISTS.

In a few weeks the botanists of the country will have the opportunity of visiting St. Louis in order to attend the meetings of the botanical section (G) of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the affiliated societies. The botanical attractions are unusually great in St. Louis. The Missouri Botanical Garden, with its wealth of living plants in the extensive hothouses, and the out-of-door plantations covering many acres of ground, will interest every botanist who visits it. Then there is the garden herbarium, one of the largest in America, and very rich in type specimens, and also the collections of botanical works constituting the large garden library. Here are the specimens and books which Dr. George Engelmann studied and used, and here are the rooms and buildings in which he worked. To the younger generation of botanists these associations should be unusually attractive, for it is helpful to see where and with what means those who preceded us have done their work. There should be a full attendance of botanists at these meetings.

THE ECONOMIC PLANTS OF PORTO RICO.

SEVERAL years ago O. F. Cook and G. N. Collins were sent by the United States Department of Agriculture to Porto Rico to make investigations in regard to the agriculture of the island. One result of their work has been the preparation of a thick pamphlet of somewhat more than two hundred octavo pages consisting of an annotated list of Porto Rican plants of economic importance. It appears as one of the 'Contributions from the United States National Herbarium' (Vol. VIII., part 2), under the supervision of the curator of botany, Mr. F. V. Coville.

In the short introduction reference is made to the books on the plants of the island, in which the authors say that "the botany of Porto Rico is far from complete, and very

little of it has been written in the English

*

language. **But two authors have attempted a connected sketch of the Porto Rican flora, and the efforts of these not only remain incomplete in that they do not cover the entire series of families of flowering plants, but the lists are also partial and local, as the writers themselves realized. The first of these sketches was that of Don Domingo Bello y Espinosa (Apuntes para la flora de PuertoRico,' 1881-1883). *** The second of these sketches and the most important contribution to the botany of Porto Rico is the Flora projected by Dr. A. Stahl, of Bayamon, but unfortunately only partially published ('Estudios para la flora de Puerto-Rico,' 18841888). * * * In spite of public indifference and official animosity six parts of the flora were issued at the expense of the author, having been prepared in the intervals of his professional life as a physician. Publication ceased in 1888, and Dr. Stahl no longer hopes to continue the work." Two other titles are given, viz., 'Diccionario botanico de los nombres vulgares cubanos y Puerto-Riquenos,' by Manuel Gomez de la Maza, and 'El medico botanico criollo,' by Rene de Grosourdy.

The catalogue proper consists of an alphabetical list of names, common and scientific, with descriptive notes and cross references. Here the reader finds many interesting facts about tropical and semitropical plants which are or might be grown in Porto Rico and other West Indian islands. One is struck, after reading a few pages, with the fact that there is much to be done on this island possession of ours in order to develop its use of the plants which may be grown there with profit. Coffee appears to be the most important of the cultivated plants, and yet we learn that "the most careless and wasteful methods are practised in the culture of this important crop. No attention is paid to the selection of seedlings, most of the new plants being secured from seeds that have germinated under the trees in the old plantations. It is estimated that by proper methods of cultivation the yield from the land now devoted to coffee could be doubled or tripled." Similar statements are made with reference to most of the

THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION.

THE newspaper reports in regard to the second annual meeting of the trustees of the Carnegie Institution, held in Washington on December 9, read as follows:

"There were two sessions, with a dinner following. The report submitted on the proceedings of the last year was supplemented by explanatory statements by Dr. Gilman, the president of the institution, and by Dr. Walcott, the secretary. The report on the year's operations showed sixtysix grants made by the executive committee for scientific research, involving an aggregate of $150,000, and recipients representing every part of the United States and the smaller colleges as well as the large universities, observatories and laboratories. Twenty-five research assistants were appointed. These sums are exclusive of administrative and incidental expenses of the institution. The beneficiaries are given the option of making public the nature of these grants. Action on request for 1,022 grants, involving an allowance of $3,000,000 a year, was indefinitely postponed. Arrangements have been made for publication at an early day of eleven scientific papers, most of them making large and costly volumes. Among the subjects now under consideration by the institution in connection with grants are a solar observatory; southern observatory; geophysical laboratory; Transcaspian exploration and archeological exploration; exploration in the south Pacific, establishment of biological experiment laboratories and international magnetic researches.

"The morning session was devoted mostly to a discussion of several large projects. No conclusion was announced. The trustees authorized an aggregate expenditure of $373,000 in grants for scientific researches and $40,000 for publications during the ensuing year.

"It is said that Mr. Carnegie made a brief address, in which he commended the work already done and talked of the aim of the institution to give liberal encouragement, in cooperation with other institutions, to investigation, research and discovery; to provide buildings, laboratories,

books and apparatus and afford advanced instruction to qualified students.

"The following officers of the Board of Trustees were elected:

Chairman-John S. Billings, New York; ViceChairman-Elihu Root, secretary of war; Secretary-Charles D. Walcott, director of the geological survey.

Vacancies on the board were filled by the election of John Cadwalader of New York to succeed Abram S. Hewitt, deceased; Cleveland E. Dodge, New York, to succeed William E. Dodge, deceased, and Judge William Wirt Howe, New Orleans, to succeed Justice Edward D. White, resigned.

Secretary of State John Hay was chosen as a member of the executive committee in the class of 1905 to succeed Mr. Hewitt and Dr. S., Weir Mitchell and Carroll D. Wright were reelected for three years as members of the executive com

mittee.

"President D. C. Gilman will resign his office one year hence. For some time rumors have been current that Dr. Gilman would retire during the present meeting, and when it was known that he and Mr. Carnegie had had a long private conference it was assumed that the matter was settled. A letter from Dr. Gilman to the trustees, however, showed that he did not intend to make any sudden move. His letter reminded his colleagues that the fixed term of the presidency of the institution was five years, of which he had now served two; that his increasing age made the labors of an executive at the head of so great an establishment very onerous, and that he did not feel that he could continue to bear the burdens beyond the next year, when he should expect the acceptance of his resignation."

HENRY CARRINGTON BOLTON.

AT a meeting called by the Washington Chemical Society, held in Columbian University, on Monday evening, November 25, in honor of the memory of the late Henry Carrington Bolton, addresses were made by the president of the society, Dr. F. K. Cameron, Dr. Chas. E. Munroe, Dr. H. W. Wiley, Dr. F. W. Clarke, Dr. Marcus Benjamin and Professor R. B. Warder. A committee consisting of Drs. Munroe, Clarke and Wiley was appointed with power to formally express the sorrow of the members of the society for the bereavement which they had suffered. Fol

lowing is the memorial prepared by the committee:

"Death has suddenly removed from earth our friend and coworker, Dr. Henry Carrington Bolton. In his death chemistry has lost a disciple, who gave to her service the enthusiasm of his youth, the strength of his manhood and the wise council of his riper years.

"Our section has lost a member who through his experimental researches and especially by his notable additions to bibliography has contributed much to the advancement of the science which it is the purpose of this society to promote. These distinguished services to science have placed all who are interested in chemistry under lasting obligations.

"The student of chemistry has lost a friend who was always ready to extend the right hand of fellowship and to contribute freely from his rare store of knowledge and extended experience.

"The community has lost a man who by his genial qualities, his high ideals, his faithfulness to the duties he undertook, his catholicity of views and of interests and his tolerance of the opinions of others endeared him to all who knew him.

"His life was a benefaction, his presence always a blessing and his career one of usefulness to man.

"We ask that this tribute to his memory be spread upon the minutes of the society; that it be printed in the proceedings and in SCIENCE and that an engrossed copy be presented to Mrs. Bolton.

"On behalf of the society,

"CHAS. E. MUNROE, "F. W. CLARKE, "H. W. WILEY."

SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND NEWS. THE Royal Society held its anniversary meeting on November 30, when the officers were elected whose names have already been printed in this journal. A contest took place for the post of general secretary, vacant by the resignation of Sir Michael Foster, for which Sir Archibald Geikie was nominated by

the council and Professor W. D. Halliburton by a considerable number of independent fellows, and the former was elected by a large majority. The president, Sir William Huggins, gave the usual address reviewing the activities of the society during the past year. At the banquet in the evening addresses were made by the president, Lord Robertson, Professor Curie, Lord Alverstone, Sir Arthur Rücker, Sir Michael Foster and Sir Archibald Geikie.

PROFESSOR KUNO FISCHER, now in his eightieth year, has retired from active duty as professor of philosophy in the University of Heidelberg.

PROFESSOR H. E. GREGORY, of Yale University, has begun work on a geological map of Connecticut, as provided for in a recent act of the state legislature.

PROFESSOR W. B. SCOTT, of Princeton University, lectured before the Teachers' Institute of Cooper Union on Tuesday evening, December 8, the subject being 'The Topography of Sedimentary Rocks.'

PROFESSOR SEELEY'S course of eight lectures on 'The Fossil Reptiles of South Africa' is now being given in the Geological Laboratory, King's College, on alternate Tuesdays at 4:30 P.M.

A NEW division, that of Forest Products, has been organized in the Bureau of Forestry with Dr. H. von Schrenck in charge.

MR. J. MORGAN CLEMENTS has resigned his position at the University of Wisconsin and the U. S. Geological Survey to engage in professional work in New York City.

A PRESENTATION and banquet were given on November 21 to Dr. Cunningham by his Dublin colleagues and friends, to mark their regret for his departure to Edinburgh and their appreciation of his work while professor of anatomy in Dublin University. His successor, Professor A. F. Dixon, presided.

THE American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society held, on December 9, a meeting in memory of the late Andrew H. Green at the American Museum of Natural History.

THE widow of the late Professor Virchow

has given about 7,000 volumes from his library to the Berlin Medical Society.

As a matter of record, we note the death of Mr. Herbert Spencer, in his eighty-fourth year, which occurred at Brighton on December 8.

SIR FREDERICK BRAMWELL, the eminent engineer, died in London on November 30, at the age of eighty-five years. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1873; president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1874; president of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 1884, and president of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1888.

FOR the accommodation of delegates and members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and cities tributary thereto to the meetings to be held in St. Louis from December 26 to January 2, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad will run a special train composed of Pullman sleepers and dining car, leaving New York at 10:30 A.M., Philadelphia 12:48, Baltimore 3:00 and Washington 4:15 P.M., December 26, arriving at St. Louis at 5:25 P.M., December 27. For full information and seat reservations apply to Lyman McCarty, assistant general passenger agent, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 434 Broadway, New York, N. Y.

THE Geographical Society of Philadelphia has in press and will shortly issue Commander Peary's report on arctic explorations conducted under the auspices of the Peary Arctic Club of New York, and covering a period of five years. At the meeting of the society on December 2, an address was delivered by Dr. Frederick A. Cook, of Brooklyn, on his recent researches in the McKinley range of Alaska and the attempted, but not successful, ascent of the loftiest summit of the North American continent. The official report of these researches will also be published by the Philadelphia Society.

THE executive board of the Association for maintaining the American women's table at the Zoological Station at Naples and for promoting scientific research by women an

nounces that applications for the Naples table for the year 1904 should be sent to the secretary, Miss Cornelia M. Clapp, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass. During the past five years eight women have been appointed by the association, seven of whom have received the title of 'scholar.' Through the special kindness of Dr. Dohrn, two may be received at the station at the same time, both having placed at their disposal equal opportunities for work.

THE New York Aquarium will hereafter use for its salt-water tank the closed circulation system, the water being brought from the sea and kept in a reservoir of 100,000 gallons. After the water is used it is filtered and aerated and returned to the reservoir. Hitherto the water has been taken from the bay, where it varies in density and purity.

TRANSIT-ROOM shutters of a new design by Professor D. P. Todd were erected the last week in November at Amherst College Observatory. They were built by the Coburn Trolley Track Company and the Norton Iron Works, with special reference to ease and rapidity of working.

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL NEWS.

By the will of William Wyman, of Baltimore, the Johns Hopkins University may expect ultimately to receive the residue of his estate, valued at $500,000.

By the will of Henry S. Nourse, of Lancaster, Mass., a fund is set aside for Harvard University which will amount to at least $50,000.

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY has received a gift of $5,000 from Mrs. Butler, of New York, to found a scholarship; an anonymous gift of $10,000 is also announced.

It appears that the will of the late Gordon McKay, leaving a very large sum for scientific work at Harvard University, will be contested by a distant relative.

THE University of Aberdeen has received from the trustees of the late Mr. John Reid, of Shannaburn, a sum that will provide not

less than $2,000 a year for post-graduate research scholarships.

THE University of Wales has received by the will of the late Mr. Price Davies, of Leeds, the sum of about $35,000 for scholarships.

SIR WILLIAM MACDONALD has given $2,000 to McGill University for experimental work in physics.

A SCHOOL in biology will be conducted at Coronado Beach during the Christmas vacation, under the auspices of the University of California. The work will be directed by Professors W. E. Ritter and C. A. Kofoid.

PRINCIPAL PETERSON, of McGill University, after a conference with Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, president of the Canadian Pacific Railway, has announced that a railway department will be created in connection with the university.

AT an educational meeting held at the University of Chicago on November 15 and attended by more than two hundred superintendents of high schools and academies of the middle west, it was unanimously resolved that the first two years of college work should be added to the curriculum of high schools and academies.

Ir is reported that Dr. Charles W. Dabney, president of the University of Tennessee, has been offered the presidency of the University of Cincinnati.

DR. THOMAS HUNT MORGAN, now professor of biology at Bryn Mawr College, has been elected professor of experimental zoology in Columbia University.

PROFESSOR HUGO MÜNSTERBERG, of Harvard University, has been elected non-resident lecturer on psychology at Columbia University, where he will give a special course of lectures in the early spring.

PROFESSOR F. G. WRENN has been elected Walker Professor of Mathematics in Tufts College in the room of the late Benjamin F. Brown.

MR. T. H. HAVELOCK, fifteenth wrangler in 1900, Smith's prizeman in 1901 and Isaac Newton student in 1902, has been elected fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge.