1897] NEWS ; 393 
Dr. Epson S. Bastin, Professor of Materia Medica and Botany at the 
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, died recently at the age of 54. He is 
est known to botanists as the author of Elements of Botany and College 
Botany. 
Dr. E. B. CopELAND has been appointed assistant professor of botany in 
the University of Indiana, vice Dr. Geo. J. Peirce, who resigned to accept a 
similar position, in charge of plant physiology in Leland Stanford Junior 
University. 
THE MICHIGAN Wild Flower Co. of Rochester, Mich., lists about 750 
Species of native plants which can be supplied in such quantities as may be 
desired. Their offer will be serviceable to those who wish to obtain native 
plants in good growing condition for experimental or illustrative purposes. 
ALEXANDER suggests a trick for preserving a celloidin block from 
which the cutting of a series of sections is proceeding, in case the cutting has 
to be interrupted. Heretofore it has been necessary to remove the block and 
place it in alcohol. In this way several sections are apt to be lost, as it is 
impossible to replace it in the microtome in the exact plane occupied before. 
Alexander slips over the block a glass tube which fit. ‘2nd into which 
alcohol is poured. The tube may then be closed with a cork. 
Dr. Josep F. James died at Hingham, Mass., March 29, at the age of 
forty. His numerous botanical writings have appeared in various journals. 
For nearly twelve years he was an instructor in botany in Cincinnati College 
of Pharmacy, Miami University, and Maryland Agricultural College. He 
was also in government employ in various positions, in connection with the 
Division of Vegetable Physiology and Pathology, and with the United States 
Geological Survey. His writings show him to have been a painstaking stu- 
dent, especially given to bibliographical work. , 
A LETTER from Mr. John C, Willis, director of the Royal Botanic Gar- 
dens at Peradeniya, Ceylon, expresses his desire that American botanists will 
avail themselves of the opportunities which he is able to give them. Ceylon 
IS virgin territory for most botanical work, and has the advantage of having ; 
4 thoroughly good “Flora (Trimen’s) already written. Mr. Willis reports a 
Teater variety of climate than most tropical regions, and therefore a great — 
variety of plants. The island is beautiful, traveling is easy, living fairly 
; cheap, and Colombo has lines of steamers from all quarters. Poe 
_* _ PROFEssor Conway MacMILLaN sails June 9 on the Germanic from 
___ New York to Liverpool. He will spend some time abroad, having been 
Specially commissioned by the regents of the University of Minnesota to 
__ Prosecute investigations in the old world capitals. During his absence the _ 
__ Peltschrilt £. wise. Mikroskopier3>—. CE Bot Cente 
