1899 | NEWS 151 
_ THE Puysics GARDEN of the Society of Apothecaries, Chelsea, London, 
founded by Sir Hans Sloane in 1722, which has of late years been much 
neglected, is to be rejuvenated and suitably maintained. New offices, lecture 
rooms, and a physiological laboratory are to be built, a curator and head gar- 
dener appointed, and suitable lectureships established. 
Dk. Rotand TuaxtTeER, during his visit abroad last spring and summer, 
obtained specimens of Laboulbeniacez at Paris, London, and Oxford, repre- 
senting material of world wide distribution. These collections will probably 
double the size of the family. On account of Mr. Thaxter’s serious illness, 
from which he has happily recovered, work upon them has been delayed. 
Mr. GILBert H, Hicks, of the Department of Agriculture died suddenly 
at his home in Washington December 7, 1898. He was First Assistant Bot- 
anistand Seed Expert, and was also editor of the Asa Gray Bulletin. He 
Was a native of Michigan, and received his government appointment in 1894. 
Mr. A. J. Pieters, heretofore associated with Mr. Hicks, has succeeded him 
in charge of the pure seed investigations. 
PROFESSOR D. T. MacDoucat of the Botanical Department of the 
mr or occupancy. The laboratories in question will be devoted entirely 
tudents will be received until an adequate laboratory 
as been secured and put in place, a matter which will occupy 
in the baa attention for a few months. This transfer leaves a vacancy 
will proba ant professorship of botany at the University of Minnesota. It 
Provably be' filled at the April meeting of the Board of Regents. 
oar wbaeiaae collection of Composita of the late Dr. F. W. Klatt of 
Gray chen well-known specialist in this order, has been purchased by the 
tain about es um of Harvard University. The collection is estimated to con- 
Cuted — together with very numerous and skillfully exe- 
Tecognized . types. The indefatigable character of Dr. Klatt’s work is 
there are settee ahs pa been interested in tropical Composite. angece 
hot entich “ me medium sized or large genera of the order which have 
: y his specific characterizations. Especially numerous are 
€rnonia, Eupatorium, Verbesina, and Senecio. Of Dr. 
equipment h 
the director’ 
t only the Klatt types but numerous authentic specimens of 
it's tn ig from a conservative estimate, based upon a partial 
“ at the collection includes no less than 60 genera and 
itherto represented in the Gray Herbarium or, for the most 
. 
