BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 181 
work is of peculiar difficulty, requiring constant attention on the part of the 
observer, and it is not only necessary to have special laboratories properly 
furnished for it, but skillful and experienced observers must be engaged, who 
can give their entire attention to the work.” The necessity for Government 
aid is urg 
Tur Eprrors of “Drugs and Medicines of N. A,” J. U. and C. G. Lloyd, 
find it necessary to begin the issue of a four-page supplement to that publica- 
tion, in which they can make known any new facts, et corri: ; 
answer questions, collate and present notes, etc. In the first number they ask 
botanists for information regarding the geographical distribution, local names, 
abundance, situations, etc., of the following plants: Hydrastis Canadensis, 
Coptis trifolia, Aconitum uncinatum, A. reclinatum, Xanthorrhiza apiifolia, 
Actea spicata, var. rubra, A. alba, Cimicifuga racemosa, C. Americana. Ad-. 
dress 180 Elm street, Cincinnati, O. ; 
A Bureav of scientific information has been formed in Philadelphia, 
Composed of officers and members of the Academy of Science, whose duty shall 
be the imparting, through correspondence, of precise and definite information 
upon the different departments of science. The organization is purely volun- 
tary, and should not be imposed upon by trivial questions, or those containing 
no postage for returning the answer. We notice the following names in various 
branches of botany: Thomas Meehan, Exotic and Cultivated Plants; J. H. 
Redfield, Ferns and N. Am. Phenogams; J. T. Rothrock, Vegetable Physiol- 
gy; F. L. Scribner, Grasses. The Secretary of the Bureau is Prof. Angelo 
Heilprin, who may be addressed at the Academy of Sciences. 
CURRENT LITERATURE. 
" \optieal Flora of North America. By Asa Gray, LL. D., etc. Vol. L—Part ii. 
Caprifoliacee-Composite, New York: Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co. 
. _ Botanists will have a great sense of relief at the appearance of this very 
important and very difficult volume. The great order of Composite, to which 
itis chiefly devoted, has n rough revision by a 0 
‘one coul é ibly have had the whole ahica so completely in hand as our 
nots This elaboration of some of our very complex genera of Composite is 
€ result of time, and and severe study, a e matured, as well as 
Probably the most valuable of the many contributions to North American Bot- 
ny that have issued from Cambri To say th ll enhance a reputa- 
“on already the greatest in America y seems almost superfluous. 
books on s in his library it should undoubtedly be this. 
ystematic botany in his library it shou 
An enumeration of a few of Re more striking changes adopted or suggested 
upy the remainder of this notice. 
the Caprifoliacez Sambueus pubens, Mx., becom 
s Among es S, racemosa, Ls 
y ™phhoricarpus must end in.“os,” S. montanus of the west becoming 8S. oreo- 
