198 THE PLANT WORLD 



EDITORIAL 



We are glad to observe that Dr. Charles E. Bessey, in a recent 

 issue of Science, has called attention to the excellent work among the 

 ferns and fern allies now being carried on by the Linnaean Fern Chap- 

 ter of the Agassiz Association. This organization, founded only eight 

 years ago, has prospered so that it is no longer thought of as a branch 

 of the parent society, but rather as an independent body of fern stu- 

 dents. The membership is about 125, and includes representatives in 

 several foreign countries. For three years the Chapter maintained its 

 own publication, known as The Linnaean Fern Bulletin, but with the 

 beginning of 1896 the journal passed into the hands of the present man- 

 agement, the name having been changed to The Fern Bulletin. It con- 

 tinues to be the official organ of the Chapter, and by arrangement be- 

 tween the editor on the one hand and the officers on the other, it is 

 sent free to all members. 



We have outlined the history of the Chapter at some length be- 

 cause we vdsh to commend it to the support of all nature lovers. Such 

 organizations as the Fern Chapter, or its offspring, the SuUivant Moss 

 Chapter, devoted as they are to special groups, serve to contribute 

 toward a knowledge of, and respect for, many plants that might be 

 passed over by the unappreciative; they also create a healthy public 

 sentiment with regard to the preservation of rarities like the hart's- 

 tongue fern; they promote good fellowship and helpful intercourse be- 

 tween workers; and beyond all, they are democratic organizations, wel- 

 coming all recruits, whether amateurs or professionals, seeking only to 

 advance the cause of botany, and not attempting to overburden the lit- 

 erature of the science with useless publications. 



