56 HELEN ABBOTT MICHAEL 



that by beginning on a small scale I could collect the plants 

 or these models and also have the chemical compounds con- 

 tained in these plants, at least those compounds of sufficient 

 importance. Blaschka has offered for $1000 to make Pro- 

 fessor Goodale, of Harvard, a unique collection. He has as 

 yet not replied, and I asked him to write me in case Goodale 

 should not be able to accomplish it. 1 



"They said it would be necessary to deposit a certain amount, 

 perhaps the sum that I wished to expend for the collection, 

 and they would furnish by degrees, the flowers. They pre- 

 ferred to make the flowers directly from the growing plants 

 and not from drawings. The matter was left in such a way 

 that I was to write him what I wanted and the amount I was 

 willing to expend on the plants. It is difficult yet to decide 

 upon what I would order, whether flowers to illustrate an 

 evolutionary order, or those which apply directly to my work. 

 It will be later decided. I have an idea of forming a collection 

 to become an embryo museum where the chemical compounds 

 contained in any plant would be exhibited, and all else in con- 

 nection with the plant also shown. But the chemical side 

 made the most conspicuous. 



"It would be a stupendous work to carry out such a plan 

 as I have conceived. But with a great fixed purpose, there would 

 be little time left for outside matters to come along as inter- 

 ruptions. I know of no place where the two ideas of botany 

 and chemistry could be combined. 



"The workshop of these men was a very small room. The 

 flame was furnished by a paraffine lamp. It is not only glass 

 blowing, but they called it modeling. Various colors of glass 

 are used, and the flowers are also painted." 



Her time being so limited, she determined to concentrate 

 it on the Polytechnic which she learned ranked almost with a 

 university for the grade of studies followed, though the students 

 rarely studied for the love of study, but generally because 

 they wished to follow some profession or business. Women 



1 The arrangement was subsequently made, and Harvard University has a 

 unique collection of the Blaschka glass flowers, which are the admiration of 

 every visitor. 



