54 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JANUARY 
violet to which it is in the remotest degree applicable if not to the well 
known plant under discussion, bearing in mind, of course, the fact that 
Hill’s characterization of ‘‘floribus coeruleis’’ excludes from consideration 
V. blanda, with which Pursh, and V. rotundifo/ia, with which Gray confused 
it—CHARLES Louris PoLLarb, Washington, D.C. 
THE TROPICAL LABORATORY COMMISSION. 
To the Editors of the Botanical Gazette :— In accordance with your sugges- 
tion in the December numberof the GazeTTe, | have undertaken the organi- 
zation of a commission for the selection of a site for an international botanical 
laboratory in the American tropics. Such universal and substantial interest 
has been manifested in the matter that the belief is justified that the proposed 
laboratory is an assured fact and that the cooperation of a majority of the 
active botanical centers may be depended upon. A consideration of the 
nature and amount of the work to be done, as well as the conditions of travel 
ing, leads to the conclusion that a commission of not less than three or more 
than five members would prove the most efficient. It will doubtless be possi- 
ble to announce the entire personnel in your next issue. 
As soon as possible after the organization is completed, a meeting of the 
American members to perfect plans for the season’s work, will be held at some 
convenient point. 
Previously to the organization of the commission, | bad been in corre- 
spondence with the local botanists and representatives of the governments of — 
the various countries to be visited, and am in receipt of many assurances that 
a grant of land and other concessions may be obtained without cost in almost 
any of the places in which the laboratory is likely to be located. This will 
allow the commission to select a site entirely on its merits as a center for 
botanical research, and its accessibility. 
Any suggestions as to localities to be visited, sent to the undersigned, will 
be of assistance to the commission in planning the route to be covered.— D. 
4 a ee. The State University of eae Minneapolis, Minn. 
