1888. | BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 107 
ing in the great water s hich empties into the Atlantic through 
the Parana and the Rio de la Plata, and afterward of crossing the es 
by the overland route into Chili. o hopes to reach Lake Titicaca, 
_ In THE preliminary report which M. Viala has made to the French 
‘minister of agriculture upon his six months’ stay in this country for the 
rs : 
g 
other topics, will be published after a time. He speaks warmly of the at- 
ention a i im by Americans, and particularly by 
Commissioner Colman and Professor Scribner, of the U. 8. Department of 
Agricuiture. 
100th year of the garden 's existence, a sketch of the history ¢ f the insti- 
tution is given, which is also printed in the Gardeners’ Chronicle (Feb. 18). 
So ames in botany appear among its directors, as, for 1ns ance, 
name is very familiar in connection with descriptions of Oriental plants. 
The present director, Dr. King, is credited with having transformed the 
garden and brought it up to its present high estate. 
THE ACTION of frost on seedlings is the subject of some interesting _ 
experimental study. “In cold climates the annual period of growth is 
shortened, the season during which the plant must vegetate 18 condensed, 
and the shoots and flowers have to unfold rapidly = to ‘make hay 
i rde icle . 29. 
while the others, planted at the same time, and in exactly the samé 
soil, etc., had as yet only begun to show shoots, and bore no tubers.” (1. ¢.) 
re | rasses 
which is projected as an adjunct to the botanical division of 4 part- 
és J A De 
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