> 
OPEN V LETTERS. 
THE TROPICAL LABORATORY COMMISSION. 
To the Editors of the Botanical Gazette:—Dr. J. E. Humphrey, accom- 
panied by a number of advanced students in zoology from Johns Hopkins 
University, will carry on some investigations in the vicinity of Port Antonio, 
Jamaica, during the ensuing season, and he has kindly agreed to cooperate 
with the commission in the examination of that island. His previous experi- 
ence in Jamaica will enable him to render the commission- important and 
valuable aid. 
In the arrangement of plans for the work of the commission, provision 
will be made for a repetition of a portion of the tour of investigation during 
the coming winter, in order to appreciate more fully the climatic possibilities 
of the more promising localities. This will, of course, —— delay the 
final selection of a site, but not the organization of the laboratory. 
The following quotation from the Journal of Botany for March will 
serve to illustrate the attitude of the British botanists in the matter: 
botanical laboratory in the western tropics has long been greatly 
needed, and we have much pleasure in announcing that the establishment of 
such an institution is completely assured. . . . . It is believed that cordial 
Cooperation on the part of botanists of this country would be welcomed. In 
order to secure this cooperation we venture to recommend one of the Lesser 
Antilles as the site. These islands are only a fortnight from London, and 
their botanical attractions for future work are are great... .. AS site in — 
edly deserves." =< DF. a ee University of Minnesota. 
