THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 35 



a real botanist is an efficient individual. That this invention 

 is all that is claimed for it will be readily believed along the 

 Atlantic Seaboard, for Nieuwland has torpedoed more 

 cherished botanical names in the past few years then the 

 devotees of "the American Code" like to think of. 



*T* 'P *i* 



Once upon a time, John Burrough made a list of the 

 fragrant native wild flowers of New England and New 

 York and published it in his book "Pepacton." It contained 

 upwards of thirty species and is given in another part of 

 this issue. When the editor was a botanizing youngster, a 

 copy of this list fell into his hands and set him off on a new 

 quest which resulted in the discovery of other fragrant 

 species. A letter to the author of "Pepacton" on the sub- 

 ject brought a reply which was, of course, highly treasured 

 by the recipient. With the exception of Burroughs' list, 

 however, there does not seem to have been an attempt 

 made to list our fragrant flowers. Nor does the Old World 

 seem to have made any more progress. It is therefore suggested 

 that the second subject to be considered by the new society 

 for Plant Study should be the making of a complete list of 

 our fragrant wildflowers, including the color of the blossoms. 

 Nobody at present knows how many kinds we have, what 

 part of the country has the greatest number, or what plant 

 family is distinguished in this respect. In such a list we 

 would include all naturalized foreign plants, but not those 

 cultivated in gardens only. The dame's violet (Hespdris 

 matronalis) , a very fragrant crucifer, would therefore be in- 

 cluded, but its foreign origin should be noted. We also suggest 

 a list of those with a distinctly repellant odor, such as the 

 carrion flower (Smilax Jicrbacea). Our list can only be repre- 



