370 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



Attracted by the wide field offered for earnest workers 

 in this country, Dr. Macfarlane resolved, in the summer of 

 1891, to settle here, and during the winter of 1891 and 

 1892 elaborated several papers that have since seen the 

 light. He also conducted University Extension Classes at 

 Lansdowne and Haddonfield. The interest of the students 

 in these and other centres was aroused ; natural history 

 societies were instituted, and all of them affiliated about 

 three years ago as " The Delaware Valley Naturalists' 

 Union," with a membership between 300 and 400. 



In the summer of 1892 he was elected Professor of 

 Biology in the University of Pennsylvania, and about 

 a year later Professor of Botany. Immediately on his 

 appointment to the latter chair, he submitted plans for the 

 establishment of a botanical garden on the land surround- 

 ing the Biological School. Various circumstances conspired 

 to prevent the accomplishment of this till the autumn of 

 1894, when he was asked to become Professor-in-Charge of 

 the Biological School. Thereafter, through the fostering 

 care of Provost Harrison and Vice-Provost FuUerton, the 

 work steadily advanced, till now the University has a 

 suite of ten plant-houses, a set of seed pits, upwards of 

 eighty beds devoted to the natural orders of plants, rock 

 gardens, lily ponds, a hardy fernery and a small arboretum. 



With parties of the botanical students. Professor Mac- 

 farlane has examined the flora of the Blue Mountains, the 

 Alleghanies, the southern states, as well as the region nearer 

 Philadelphia. Extensive collections have been made, on 

 these occasions, for the botanic garden, and in recognition 

 of his services, the University Trustees appointed him 

 Director of the Garden in June, 1896. 



