

1891.] , . Open Letters. 121 



I 



this family in North America already outnumber all the known exotic 

 species. A remarkable new genus Zodiomyces, is described, and forms 

 a distinct departure in the group. Hespcromyccs is another new genus; 

 while Peyritschiella receives a new species, and Laboulbema six. 



We have received the advance sheets and plate proofs of Ellis & 

 Everhart's North American Pyrenomycetes. The illustrations are all 

 original, the drawing having been the work of Mr. F. W. Anderson. 

 There are 41 plates, each one accompanied by a page of explanatory 

 text. We understand that 4 more plates will be issued as a supple- 

 ment. In looking over the plates it is evident that the volume will be 

 a boon to American mycologists, and that this large and rapidly in- 

 creasing group of botanists will warmly welcome its appearance. 



OPEN LETTERS- 



1 



Mounting plants. 



Those who have had experience in mounting plants for the her- 

 barium will readily understand why Prof. Beal should " decidedly 

 favor" fastening down grasses with gummed strips, for of all things 

 grasses are the most refractory subjects to glue down, and unless the 

 work is expertly done and the stout culms immediately stayed by strips 

 (without waiting for these to " spring up " before being "patched up,'' 

 there is likely to be displayed all the defects and drawbacks which our 

 friend specifies. But it has occurred to me that notwithstanding 

 Prof. Beal expressly restricts his remarks to the " mounting of grasses 

 and allied plants " there might be some who would construe them into 

 a qualified condemnation of the glue process from beginning to end. 

 This, I take it, was not intended. Excepting the grasses there is not 

 another large order of plants which the writer, for one, would not 

 much prefer glued down; the Composite, Leguminosae, Rosacese, Um- 

 belliferae and even the Cyperacese. A delicate Astragalus or Vicia can 

 be neatly and expeditiously mounted so that every flower and leaflet 

 in contact with the sheet will be securely fastened and that, too, with- 

 out showing a particle of "surplus glue" to mar the perfection of the 

 work; the same mav be said of all the Umbelliferae, but more especi- 

 ally of those with finelv dissected leaves; while as for the Compositae 

 they are so easily glued down, held so firmly, look so well after the 

 work is done, are so convenient to handle and easy to study, I can 

 not concieve of two opinions being entertained as to the preferable 

 mode of mounting them. Were the objection that specimens " not 

 mounted right side out " can not be turned over, really as formidable 

 as it appears in the statement it would have long ago led to the aban- 



donment of gluing down. As a matter of fact I do not recall, in thirty 

 years' experience, having ever been balked by a specimen mounted 

 wrong-side up. Nor does gluing prevent the detachment of sma 1 frag- 

 ments for more careful examination with the aid of those capital help- 



