116 
botanized over almost the whole county, I think it is confined to that 
(limited) locality, or I should have observed it before. 
Wading River, L. I, K S, Miller. 
Dr. Asa Gray's Seventy-fifth Birthday-— The seventy-fifth anni- 
versary of the birth of Dr. Gray occurred on the i8th of November, 
when a number of American botanists united in presenting him with 
a highly artistic vase as a token of their esteem* 
This vase, which we represent herewith from Science^ was presented 
on the morning of the i8th, without formality. It is about eleven 
inches high, and is appropriately decorated en repoussiwith. those plants 
which are distinctively American, and which are most closely associated 
with Dr. Gray. The place of honor on one side is held by Grayia 
polygaloides, and on the other by Shortia galacifoUa. Among others. 
Aster Bigelovit^ Solid. 
Notholcsna Gravi and 
The vase stands upon an ebony pedestal, which is surrounded by 
a silver hoop bearing the inscription: 
rSio — November eighteenth — 1885, 
ASA GRAY 
m token of the universal esteem 
of American botanists. 
The idea was originated and carried out by the editors of the 
Botanical Gazette, and was a complete surprise to Dr. Gray. 
Pine-needles-— It is very pleasant to have my friend Dr, Gray's 
congratulations on my conversion as to the nature of pine-leaves. ^ If 
the ** botanical world " had given me the evidence, instead of allowing 
me to work it out for myself, the happy event need not have been so 
long delayed. And, of course, if I am now convinced that a fascicle 
of pine-needles is really but the leaves from a suppressed branch, i 
