22 
manuscripts faithfully represented his manner of working. Regu- 
larity, order, finish in details were carried in them to a most unusual 
degree. The writing, always perfectly plain, read like print ; a 
curious example of the harmony which is said often to exist between 
the manner of writing and the character ofa person.” Meissner 
was fond of music, of literature, and of friendly intercourse, and 
was of that kind and considerate character which the writer empha- 
sizes by using the English word gentleman. A list of Meissner’s 
writings is given, and an account of the fate of his library and 
herbarium. In reference to the transfer of the latter to Columbia 
College, the illustrious author gives a kindly hint to us: ‘The 
Torrey Botanical Club meet there; consequently the herbarium has 
fallen into good hands and will certainly be utilized.—2. Zur Kent- 
niss einiger Lycopodinen, von F, Hegelmaier, Tubingen, J uly, 1874,— 
3. Zur Entwicklungsgeschicte monykotyledoner Keime nebst Bermer- 
kungen ‘ber die Bildung der Samendeckel, von E, Hegelmaier. 
Mit Tafeln. From the Botanische Zeitung, Nos. 39—44, 1874. 
§ 18. Rhus versus Cypripedium.—None of our Cypripediums are 
poisonous plants, applied either externally or internally. They are 
much employed by Eclectic Physicians of this country, and, though 
tons of these plants are annually brought to this market to be 
Manufactured into Extract, Tincture, or “Cypropedin,” I have yet 
to be informed of the first case of poisoning, the result of handling 
the fresh plant or otherwise. 
I am very susceptible to the effects of Rhus, even from contact of 
the stems in winter or when quite dry. Others are liable to be 
poisoned from the emanations of the plant at long distances without 
coming into contact with it. Some others still have a periodical 
return of the symptoms of such poisoning recurring for a number of 
years thereafter. R. E. Kunzz, M.D. 
[We have, ourselves, known cases of the periodical return of the 
Rhus irritation in persons who had handled the plant when brought 
into the city, but who avoided doing so asecond time, and were not 
likely to go where it grew.—Eps. | 
§ 19. Errata.—p. 15, 1. 5, for “subMrder” read “ sub-genus”: ], 
6, for Chandktis read Chenactis. In the list of Mr. Paine’s Palestine 
plants, Habenaria tridentata, Scopoli, should doubtless read Orchis 
tridentata, Scopoli. As regards the missing pages we intend to 
supply them hereafter. 
-§ 20, A MARCH RAMBLE. 
Let us search the brown woods ere the March winds are laid, 
Kre the flower-buds swell, and the leaves cast a shade. 
To the lover of nature they ever display 
Such treasures as well for the seeking repay ; 
And now, though so dreary and lifeless they seem, 
We shall find that with myriad beauties they teem. 
Where the shadows lie deepest, the frost lingers yet, 
And out to the meadows he steals at sunset ; : 
But sooner each morn the sun puts him to flight, 
And quickly unbinds what he bound in the night. 
On north hill-sides the ice-bearded cliffs are yet dripping, 
And sunbeams from lingering snow-banks are sipping. 
