164 BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [ July. 
strictions the young botanist has thrown about the answer. He must 
have something apparently difficult, far-reaching, exhaustive—a great 
subject in which he is to become an authority. Such answers are impos 
sible, and young botanists searching for some life work must understand 
that they are trying to begin at the possible end of their life-work rather 
than at its beginning. Beginnings are always small and the subjects 
simple, and the botanist can not expect to begin a great work offhand; 
he must grow into it. The law of development in the ability of the 
worker and slow accretions in the range of his subjects may eventually 
work out to an authority and a great subject. The thing to do is the 
thing that can be done; and it is not only folly, but a waste of time, to 
sigh over lack of opportunity for great work. Dr. Farlow concludes that 
advanced systematic work must be done by experts having access to large 
collections and libraries; that physiological work of high grade can only 
be done at a few well-equipped laboratories; but that histology and the 
study of life-histories furnish subjects for every worker, whatever his 
locality or equipment. It must be understood that we are speaking of 
advanced and critical work ; for every one interested in botany can fur- 
nish valuable assistance in systematic work in the way of collections and 
field notes. Another difficulty may be mentioned, and that is the unsell 
ishness of good work. Patient, laborious work over details, which is the 
foundation upon which our science must rest, does not bring the public 
acknowledgment, the fame, which some superficial work may. A fairly 
good compiler may step at once into a certain kind of prominence, while 
a far superior botanist may work all his life in comparative obscurity. _ It 
needs a philosophic spirit to work patiently under such conditions. But 
no botanist has ever begun with the simple problems at his hand, an 
thoroughly mastered them, who was not led into a wider field, and 8000 
found waiting fur him more work than he could ever hope to do. 
_ Boranrsts are to take it for granted that they will be well enter 
tained at New York next August. Apart from the single fact that the 
Torrey Club is to be responsible nothing has been published; but this 
perhaps, is enough. The main thing is for the botanists to get together 
and their meeting can not help being pleasant and helpful. Heretofore 
it has been difficult to get time enough at convenient hours for the meer 
ings of the club; for the informality breeds a desire to speak, and the 
meetings have always been too short. With such a wealth of attractiv? 
places for collecting near at hand as New York affords, there will be* 
great temptation to overdo the excursion business. As we take it the 
ch an oct 
ston. He can do that at any time, in person or by exchange. What he 
chiefly wants is to have a sociable time with his fellows, and for this 
excursion 18 a good excuse. The Torrey Club, with wise foresight in this : 
Particular, has arranged to distribute prepared specimens to those des 
