.^ EDITORIAL 1^. 



Beginning in 1924, it is our intention to issue this maga- 

 zine on or near the beginning of January, April, July and 

 October, instead of nearly two months later than those dates, 

 as at present. This brings us more into line with the practice 

 of other quarterlies and relieves us of explaining to new sub- 

 scribers, each year, that the January number is issued in late 

 February. Those whose subscriptions expire with this issue 

 will naturally need to renew earlier to avoid the possible loss 

 of one or more numbers. At present we are issuing only 

 sufficient copies to take care of subscribers and continue the 

 sets of back numbers still on hand. Often the supply of one 

 issue runs out before the next is printed. In this connection 

 attention may be called again to the fact that continuous sub- 

 scriptions cost less than the annual subscriptions and may be 

 paid for during the year when most convenient. Annual 



subscriptions are stopped at the end of the time paid for. 



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For a generation or more, the hunt for new species of 

 plants has been pursued with astonishing intensity. It is to be 

 feared, however, that in the excitement of describing species 

 new to science, the species-maker has often yielded to the 

 temptation to describe as novelties plants of very dubious 

 standing. At one time the doctrine that any plant that dif- 

 fered from others in a single constant character was a good 

 species gained wide acceptance. Botanists employed their 

 talents in discovering dififerences rather than in studying such 



