254 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



vations for many of the facts incorporated in his books. 

 This correspondence continued, until a sHght misunder- 

 standing between them finally put a stop to their letter- 

 writing and pleasant intercourse. Mr. Darwin gives credit 

 to Meehan's acute observations in many places in his 

 epoch-making works. Rev. Mr. Henslow also drew upon 

 Mr. Meehan's mint of information concerning plants in 

 general, in the preparation of his book, " Origin of Floral 

 Structures." Mr. Meehan's entire attention is not directed 

 to the publication of scientific papers, but part of his time 

 is given to experimenting, testing, observing, and collecting. 

 Many of his observations lack the force which a perusal 

 of the literature of the subject would give them. His 

 published contributions to botany are numbered by the 

 hundreds. It would be impossible in the limits imposed 

 upon this book to enumerate his papers on botanical subjects. 

 Mr. Meehan's views have been antagonized many times 

 by botanists who have not leaned to his way of thinking, 

 but they all acknowledge his worth as a man, his untiring 

 public spirit, his wide philanthrophy, his kind heart and 

 pleasant ways. A man of powerful build and a distinguished 

 presence, Mr. Meehan has left his mark in the fields of 

 legislation and science. 



A trip to Meehan's nursery in Germantown well repays 

 a lover of trees.* In no other place are American trees 

 and shrubs raised in such quantities. Mr. Meehan early 

 recognized that eastern America is particularly suited for 

 deciduous-leaved plants, and that American plants are the 

 best for America. The senior member of the firm has been 



* 1893. Garden and Forest, VI : 377. 



