1894.] Briefer Articles. 121 
that the frost plants show no especial differentiation of structure, so 
that it is probable that many plants, if they should pass through the 
death stage at a season offering the proper conditions of moisture and 
temperature would furnish ‘frost phenomena.”—D. T. MacDovueat, 
University of Minnesota. 
Proposed seed collection of the U. S. National Herbarium.—The 
Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., has inaugurated a 
seed collection in connection with the U.S. National Herbarium which 
is intended to include seeds of all the species of plants obtainable, 
especially weeds and forage plants. 
The seeds, when not too large, will be placed in flat-bottomed speci- 
men tubes of two sizes, the smaller 5" long by 1.5°™ in diameter, the 
larger in vials of twice these dimensions. These tubes will be neatly 
labeled, systematically arranged, and placed in covered trays made of 
binder’s-board. Fleshy fruits of native American plants will be put 
Into similar bottles filled with preserving fluid. Authentic herbarium 
Specimens of plants raised from the seeds represented, or of plants 
from which the seeds were obtained, will accompany the collection 
whenever possible, 
Seeds of North American weéds, grasses and other forage plants are 
especially desired and the co-operation of all botanists is earnestly re- 
Pita A suitable exchange of seeds for herbarium material or the 
aegis ei of the Division may be had in return if desired. In the 
ee oon Ss and forage plants a liter of seed is wished in order that 
tes “3m Prepared for distribution to Agricultural colleges. 
aboat ei a to the work above outlined the Division of Botany is 
germinative ertake the testing of various seeds as to their purity and 
and enn et for which purpose a laboratory will be fitted up 
Topean te 2) atter the most approved methods of American and Eu- 
air different oak Stations. In this laboratory and in the open 
ion and fad penowcal experiments connected with seed germina- 
ultimately ta Soha will be conducted. Histological studies may 
weeds and : € to determine the structure of the seeds of Ameri- 
nomic valye gh plants, and, if possible, to elicit facts of tax- 
its Serna, a entire work will be carried on with special eat 
Useful for p aa. while the collection will be particularly 
Seay has been placed in charge of Mr. G. H. Hicks, re- 
ea in botany at the Michigan Agricultural College, to 
: Pondence may be addressed.—FREDERICK V. COVILLE, 
U.S. D, rime : 
-“ nt of A : 
9-Vol. XIX — yo, : of Agriculture 
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cently 
Whom 
