Rhodora 
JOURNAL OF 
THE NEW ENGLAND BOTANICAL CLUB 
Vol. 10. | December, 1908. No. 120. 
IN MEMORIAM: ALVAH AUGUSTUS EATON 
В. б. LEAVITT. 
Іт 1s already known to many readers of this journal that Alvah A. 
Eaton died at his home in North Easton, September 29th, after long 
suffering endured with heroic courage. Mr. Eaton's publications had 
made his name widely known. With a considerable number of 
American students of plants, especially students of ferns and fern- 
allies, he had formed relations of friendly and professional intercourse. 
He had been very active as a collector in the region of his residence, 
in which he had brought to light many plants of interest, including 
some that were new to science. From his excursions to little explored 
districts of Florida he had brought back valuable collections of orchids, 
ferns, and woody plants. He possessed a remarkable talent for finding 
things of interest and importance, however well concealed from ordi- 
nary eyes they might be, which, combined with activity, willingness to 
penetrate dangerous parts, and persistence in the face of difficulty, 
made him a very useful contributor to the progress of botanical science. 
Such men as he was can ill be spared. 
Beyond the memorial of appreciation due to everyone who has 
given his life in devotion to the work which has lain before him, those 
who were during several years his associates in common tasks wish to 
express their admiration for Mr. Eaton's many excellent qualities as 
a man. His sincerity was perfect; every call made upon him for 
effort was accepted with eager responsiveness; his courage to face any 
difficult situation, danger to life, or bodily anguish, was of the finest 
quality. 
'The writer first became acquainted with him some seven years ago 
through an inquiry after certain aquatic plants in which Mr. Eaton 
