45° BOTANICAL GAZETTE [DECEMBER 
manufacturers of cheap soaps. The demand for the oil is increasing so that 
this source threatens to become inadequate, in which case the wood in blocks 
will have to be used. This would make the oil four to six times as costly as 
at present, say Schimmel & Co.? 
IN THE Popular Science Monthly for September there are three matters 
of botanical interest: (1) an illustrated account of the giant cactus, by Pro- 
fessor J. W. Toumey, who is certainly most competent to deal with such a 
subject ; (2) an interesting paper on the scope of botany, by Dr. George J- 
Peirce, now of Stanford University ; and (3) a sketch, with portrait, of Pro- 
fessor Samuel Lockwood, who was one of those charming old-time “natural- 
ists’’ who are fast disappearing. 
THE TREATISE on diatoms which Dr. Henri van Heurck had long in 
preparation has just been published in England, translated by Mr. Wynne E. 
Baxter. It forms a handsome volume of 600 pages, illustrated by about 
2000 figures. All recognized genera of the world, 192 in number, are fig- 
ured and also representatives of many rejected genera. All species of the 
North sea and countries bordering thereon are figured and described. A 
French edition may be published provided enough subscriptions are obtained 
to promise its success. 
THE MUSHROOM PLATES accompanying Mr. Charles H. Peck’s report 
for 1894 as state botanist of New York, which excited so much interest when 
issued a few months ago that the edition was speedily exhausted, have been 
ordered by the Regents to be reprinted in an edition of 1ooo copies in the 
form of wall charts. They can be had in sheets or mounted upon rollers. 
It is a pity that plates that have attracted so much attention and from which 
so much is expected are not less crudely executed. The coloring has only 
sufficient fidelity to nature to be remotely suggestive. 
THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE has included in his estimate of the 
expenditure for the coming year an item of $20,000 to be set aside from the 
seed fund for the introduction of valuable economic plants. In case this 
expenditure is sanctioned by Congress, Mr. D. G. Fairchild will be put ™ 
charge of the work. If the scheme of seed distribution ever had init a sci- 
entific purpose, that purpose will certainly be carried out more wisely by this 
method suggested by the Secretary. The importance of sich work no one, 
can doubt, and the fitness of Mr. Fairchild, who has traveled so extensively, 
is at once apparent. 
THE BioLocicaL SuRVEY of Alabama is being developed and extended 2 
as rapidly as limited means will permit. Over 20,000 specimens have 
added to the herbarium collections during the present year, including = 
2 Ibid. p- 13. : 
