327 
’ 
was a botanist, Dr. Puissant, at the Ecclesiastical Seminary of 
Troy, N. Y., and I immediately wrote to him offering Southern 
plants for Northern ones, and I received from the doctor about 
500 species. Soon after I found out there was published here a 
“ Botanical Gazette,” for which I immediately subscribed. From 
this journal I learned many things unknown to me before; 
through its advertisements I got plants from Eggert, of Missouri, 
Pringle, of Vermont, and a check-list from Patterson, of Illinois. 
Then I began to know and appreciate the advantages of having 
correspondents. The ones who have been of greatest service to 
me in phanerogams are Morong, of Massachusetts, Wibbe, of 
New York, and later, J. Donnell Smith, of Baltimore. In grasses 
‘Ihave been assisted by Dr. Vasey, of Washington, and in Cyper- 
acez by Connant. : 
“In 1884, through the kindness of Mr. Lehnert, of Washing- 
ton, I began the study of mosses, liverworts and lichens, and in 
the latter part of 1885, at the suggestion of Mr. Scribner, I began 
the study of fungi. I soon acquired a deep interest in these 
plants, and have been greatly aided in their study by Prof. Ellis, 
of New Jersey. The mycological flora of Louisiana being so rich 
and at the same time so poorly known, I have for the past three 
years given almost my entire attention to it. Every day I make 
new discoveries, and I am yet far from having exhausted this in- 
tensely interesting part of the Louisiana flora.” Mr. Langlois has 
Now an herbarium containing some 5000 species of North Ameri- 
can plants, including 1214 species of Phanerogams and vascular 
‘typtogams of his State. So far as his State is concerned, this 
work has been done single-handed. About a year ago, Langlois 
Published a catalogue of Louisiana plants which embraced the ~ 
fungi he had found, now numbering 1200 species. Langlois’ 
collections are widely distributed in the herbaria of this country 
and in France, and his specimens are highly valued by all who 
Possess them. : 
I have been thus particular in speaking of Mr. Langlois, not 
Only to show the interest that may be acquired in the study of 
botany, but also to show what may be accomplished under condi- 
tions most adverse. Mr. Langlois is now rector of St. Martin’s 
- church, St. Martinsville, La. 
o 
