1898] NEWS 143 
coloring matter of some North American Boraginacez, and H. von Schrenk 
¢ of Merulius dacrymans and its occurrence in the cypress marshes of 
northern Mississippi. 
IN THE REPORT of the botanist of the Department of Agriculture for 
1897, the work of the year is considered under the following heads: field 
experiments with seeds, investigation of new crops, national herbarium, 
economic herbarium, natural resources, weeds, poisonous plants, testing seeds 
distributed by the department, seed investigation, support of the pure seed 
movement, American medicinal flora. This gives some idea concerning the 
subjects which have been interesting the division. The needs for the ensuing 
year are said to be a building, permanent trial grounds, and an additional 
assistant to investigate the subject of “natural agricultural belts or areas as 
indicated by the natural vegetation.” 
ONE of the most vigorous of American scientific societies is the American 
Society of Naturalists. Founded in 1883, meeting annually between Christmas 
and New Years in some one of the eastern cities, and aiming to promote 
those interests which naturalists have in common, it has not only grown itself, 
but it has attracted to meet with it several other leading scientific societies. 
Theannual meetings of these affiliated societies ] 1 f rapidly increas 
mg 'mportance, until at present they are second to none in this country in 
influence and value. For two or three years past associations of animal mor- 
phologists, animal physiologists, animal anatomists, psychologists, and finally 
rae aa have met to hold, along with sessions of their own, others in 
mon with co-workers in related fields. In this development botanists 
A few have been accustomed to attend the meetings of 
the Naturalists, but as the special societies have gradually 
special biological subjects into themselves, these meetings 
SSuse to them, At the same time many botanists have 
luable opportunity is being wasted by their failure to meet 
igorous organizations, and, moreover, that the science and 
86 cons uffer by their silence when the related sciences are being 
itself at the < Sigal and favorably into notice. This feeling expressed 
iladelphia meeting in 1895 in a meeting of the botanists 
appointment of a committee, with the late Dr. J. E. 
‘ irman, to investigate the question of the desirability of 
tanical organization to meet annually with the other scientific 
Y Correspondence during the ensuing yearthe committee became 
it hat there was no call for a new botanical society of general scope, 
ot Membership oe ac of . society of special character and limited range 
Present at the agi This report was made to a meeting of Doreniets 
those present a meeting of the affiliated societies, December 30, 1896, 
alter full discussion, constituted themselves a “Committee 
