344 
high, and the air frequently surcharged with moisture. Duplicates and other 
unpoisoned specimens then require the grea a and, unless carefully 
protected from access to the air, become moulded, and too frequently overrun 
It may not be unacceptable to working botaniebt to have a recipe which, 
under these unfavourable conditions, I am accustomed to use in my own her- 
barium ; and which, after r nearly twenty years' experience, I can testify to as 
being entirely efficacious in preserving all plants to which it is ee 
follows :— 
Rectified spirit . . . 16 fluid ounces. 
Corrosive sublimate . 6 drachms. 
Creasote 40 drops. 
Let the mixture stand, agitating dinde until the sublimate is dissolved 
and, when required for Sons dilute with an equal volume of hollands, or, if more 
convenient, proof spiri 
H. F. Hance, Pu.D, 
BOTANICAL NEWS. 
Professor Asa Gray is returning early this month to his native country, after 
a tour in Europe. 
Dr. Hooker, we hear, is actively at work in preparing a new British Flora. 
E Behn we have a pamphlet, written in reply to some remarks 
of Dr. Küchenmeister, on the proposed reforms of the ancient Imperial German 
L. C. Academy Nature Curiosorum. There are two diametrically opposed 
views held about this matter. The one party hold that only such men as have 
y won their laurels elsewhere should be admitted into the Academy, the 
other think it is the special business of the Academy to search out promising 
young men for admission, and thus give them an opportunity of bringing € 
ward the result of their labours. The latter have certainly the ancient charte 
on their side. There is much to be said on both sides of the question. It xe 
reater honour to be admitted into a scientifie body when only 
without the support of a patroniz rporation, and still of class 
w as a fresh spur to exertion. On the other hand, by admitting 
promisi n, great mistakes may be made. Humboldt acted on the 
ing, 
latter principle: he mainly looked to the rising scientific generation, and to 
that he gave his principal support. He had the keenness to single out Liebig 
when the latter, perfectly unknown to fame, was reading a short paper, and he 
was equally fortunate in many others kae he MN but he is ad- 
mitted tohave fallen also into some sad mis 
