One more aspect may be mentioned — that relating to bot- 

 anical science. Apart from beauty and apai't from utility, in 

 the ordinary sense, there is the field of strictly scientific interest, 

 which may to some good extent be cultivated by a wise planting 

 of the Museum grounds. There is not room, indeed, nor proper 

 variety of soil or conditions, for anything like a botanical garden, 

 or arboretum. But there could be brought together into this 

 space a very valuable and attractive re})rcsentation of thci na- 

 tive trees of this region. At present, anyone wishing to see 

 these, — any visitor or student from other parts of the country, 

 or from abroad— cannot find access to the trees of the low- 

 country in Charleston, save only the few species in frequent 

 cultivation. Beyond these, he must go miles into the country 

 and travel from one point to another. If specimens could be 

 found, gathered into a small representative sylva, it would be a 

 matter of great convenience to the student of botany, and a dis- 

 tinct honor to the city. While not prepared to take this up at 

 once, it is yet a part of the plan of the Museum staff, and one 

 which they hope to begin upon ere very long. 



A closing word may be addressed to public-spirited citizens, 

 who may have in their gardens or on neighl^oring plantations 

 any good specimens of interesting or attractive shi'ubs or young 

 trees, suitable for such purposes as those indicated here, which 

 they do not need, or are disposed to spare. The Director of the 

 Museum will be pleased to communicate with them on this sub- 

 ject. D-S.M. 



LOCAL FLORA 



Notes on Common Oaks in Winter 

 Among the oaks recorded in the biological survey of the 

 Museum nine species can be readily distinguished in winter 

 when their characteristics have once become familiar. The 

 following notes are given as an aid to the study of this group. 



16 



