NOTES AND COMMENT 



The publication of Botanical Abstracts has been definitely under- 

 taken by the Williams and Wilkins Company, of Baltimore, and the 

 first number of the new journal will appear shortly. It is estimated 

 that two volumes will appear annually, with about 300 pages each. 

 The price per year for the two volumes is $6.00. A large number of 

 botanists have already undertaken to cooperate in making this journal 

 all that it should be. The very great usefulness of such a publication 

 requires no demonstration, and its appearance will be welcomed by 

 every worker in botanical fields. In order for it to have an assured 

 existence at a time when foreign subscriptions will be few it is necessary 

 for American botanists to give it their unanimous support. 



A paper on the grasses of Illinois has been prepared by Dr. Edna 

 Mosher and published as Bulletin 205 of the Illinois Agricultural 

 Experiment Station. Two hundred and four species are credited to 

 the state, one fifth of which were not previously reported in its limits. 

 The bulletin contains keys and brief descriptions and is illustrated 

 with nearly three hundred cuts. 



Black walnut has always been the favorite wood for gun stocks on 

 account of its failure to splinter badly when struck by bullets or bits 

 of shell. Owing to the extreme scarcity of walnut at this time, an 

 examination is being made of the suitabiUty of birch and maple as 

 substitutes. 



At the recent meeting of the National Academy of Sciences Professor 

 George F. Atkinson, of Cornell University, was elected a member of 

 that bodv. 



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