Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Penn= 
sylvania for Session 1897-98. 
HE Botanical Society of Pennsylvania was instituted on 
4) October 10, 1897, at the University of Pennsylvania, 
when arrangements were made and a program drawn 
up for the first general meeting to be held on October 23. 
October 23,1897. The opening meeting of the Botanical 
Society of Pennsylvania was held in Biological Hall at 4.30 
p.m. A reception was given by Provost and Mrs. Harrison 
from 3 to 4.30 p. m., when the invited guests inspected a large 
variety of botanical preparations, models and objects under 
the microscope. Provost Harrison called the meeting to order 
and stated that the time seemed now to be ripe for the organi- 
zation of a botanical society, which would bring together 
botanists and plant growers in and around Philadelphia. The 
great interest already manifested in the growth of the Botanic 
Garden had encouraged its promoters to believe that a closer 
bond of sympathy could be established between the University 
and botanical workers than had hitherto existed. He then 
called upon Professor Macfarlane, head of the Botanical 
Department and Director of the Botanic Garden, to explain 
the aims of the society. 
Dr. Macfarlane stated that, in the closing years of the last 
century and in the early decades of the present century, Phila- 
delphia was regarded as the home of American botany. Such 
men as the Bartrams, Michaux, Rafinesque, Barton, Darling- 
ton and other celebrated names gave it a lustre unequaled by 
any other city inthe Union. Meehan’s more recent work had 
earned for him the thanks of the present generation. To con- 
tinue the traditions thus worthily established, would be the 
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