1920] Riddle,— William Gilson Farlow 5 
atic point of view. These studies resulted in the publication of a 
number of monographs, and Dr. Farlow came to be recognized as 
our foremost authority not only on the algae, but also on the fungi. 
It is appropriate that the pages of Ruopora should record such 
early contributions to the study of “the local flora" as his “ List 
of Fungi found in the vicinity of Boston"! in which were recorded 
363 species, all of his own collecting, and supplemented by valuable 
critical notes; and his * Notes on the Cryptogamic Flora of the White 
Mountains,"? which in addition to enumerating a considerable list 
of interesting species, gave descriptions of eight new species. 
Dr. Farlow's constant interest in the flora of New England led 
to his taking a prominent part in the movement to organize the New 
England Botanical Club. The first meeting was held at his house. 
He was unanimously elected president, and served in that capacity 
at all the meetings of the Club held during the first year of its exis- 
tence. 
While possessed of an unusual technical knowledge, Dr. Farlow 
was always ready to present his subject in a way that would make it 
generally available. But he never sacrificed accuracy to popularity. 
When the popular interest in mushrooms was awakened about 1894, 
Dr. Farlow contributed to Garden and Forest some “Notes for 
Mushroom-Eaters," a paper which was (to use his own words) “freed 
from the technicalities familiar to the expert botanist, although 
accurate as far as it goes." 
During all these years, the instruction of students also claimed 
his attention. As a teacher his influence was great. His mastery 
of his subject, the clearness and liveliness with which he presented it, 
and his obvious human qualities, could not fail to win the interest 
of his students. Even as the students in DeBary's laboratory at 
Strasburg went out inspired and trained to do creative work in 
many fields of Botany, so as the years went by a considerable number 
of the men who studied with Dr. Farlow have contributed to the 
development of science in America. 
In 1896, Dr. Farlow retired from the instruction of undergraduates, 
but continued to direct the work of such graduate students as desired 
his assistance. During the last twenty-three years of his life, his 
time was fully occupied with three large undertakings: a bibliograph- 
1 Bull. Bussey Inst. 1: 430—439. 1876, and 2: 224-252. 1878. 
2 Appalachia 3: 232-251. 1884. 
