Vil 
ent, who was so entirely our wise leader and teacher, that we ever 
refused to think of that time when he might be called away from 
us. The importance biological studies now hold in American 
schools and colleges and in an enlightened public esteem, and the 
value therefrom which results to every commonwealth, is due 
more than to any other to Dr. ASA GRAY. 
‘* All hearts grew warmer in the presence 
Of him who, seeking not his own, 
Gave freely,— for the love of giving, 
Nor reaped for self the harvest sown.” 
May the memory of his simple, unaffected life, full of wisdom 
and the desire to be helpful, linger long with us and strengthen 
us, according to our degree, to similar loving acts of help! 
We have to thank for assistance in special departments Mr. 
William Boott, for kind aid in the nomenclature of the genus 
Carex ; Dr. George Thurber and Dr. George Vasey for similar aid 
in Graminee; Mr. Willey, of New Bedford, for revision of the 
Lichenes ; Dr. W. G. Farlow, of Cambridge, and Prof. D. C. Eaton, 
of New Haven, for many additions to the list of Marine Alge; 
Mr. C. H. Peck, of Albany, N. Y., and Mr. J. B. Ellis, of Newfield, 
N. J., for revision of the Fungi; Mr. L. Lesqereux, for the nam- 
ing and verification of many species of Musci ; Rev. Francis Wolle, 
for information regarding Fresh Water Alge ; Mr. Lathrop, for 
contribution of Desmidiacew, &c.; and other friends whose con- 
tributions are noted in the text. Thanks are due to the Botanical 
Committee of the Franklin Society, for their patience and consid- 
eration in the extremely vexatious delays which have occurred, 
and especially for the liberal manner in which they have provided 
for the publication of these pages. 
Gray’s Manual—5th edition, 1867— has been followed in the 
arrangement and nomenclature of the Flowering Plants and Ferns, 
