NEWS. 
Mr. J. G. JAcK will conduct a series of lectures and field meetings at the 
Arnold Arboretum during the autumn, for the purpose of supplying popular ” 
instruction about the trees and shrubs which grow in New England. 
THERE HAS just been organized the “Louisiana Society of Naturalists.” 
It is incorporated, and starts out with nearly forty-five members, nearly all of 
whom are workers in some branch of natural science. The secretary is Mr. 
E. Foster, of New Orleans. 
. W. L. BRAY, who has just returned from work at the University of 
Berlin, has accepted a position in the University of Texas in charge of the 
botanical work. As his recent studies have been along ecological lines, the 
flora of Texas will receive his chief attention. 
THE CURRENT NUMBER (September) of Popular Science Monthly contains 
an account of “ The giant cactus,” by Professor J. W. Toumey, and a paper 
upon ‘‘ The scope of botany,” by Professor George J. Peirce. 
THE ILLusTRiIOUS Danish naturalist Japetus Steenstrup died at his home 
in Copenhagen on June 20, 1897, at the advanced age of 84 years. Although 
his most prominent works were purely zoological, he also contributed largely 
to the progress of botanical science. Besides being one of the editors of 
Flora Danica, he made extensive studies of the subfossil fauna and flora of the 
Danish peat-bogs, the result of which enabled him to demonstrate the pre- 
historic nature and culture in Denmark. His lectures in natural history and 
his warm interest for his pupils have made him one of the most popular and 
most admired of Danish naturalists THEO. HOLM. 
224 [SE PTEMBER 
