AMERICAN FERN Socrety 63 
The ornithologists appear to have devised a generally 
accepted and sufficiently precise set of common names 
for the birds of the United States. The same could 
perhaps be done for the ferns, for the number of species 
concerned is not hopelessly large; and it would be a 
suitable task for the Fern Society. The first step 
would be to find out what common names are actually 
in use for ferns in different parts of the country; and 
the editors will be glad to receive any information along 
this line which members can give. 
C. A. W. 
American Fern Society 
The Council has passed an order providing that 
members in the military service of the United States 
may retain their membership for the duration of the 
war or of their active service without payment of dues. 
So far, we have heard of one who has gone to the front— 
Mr. Walter Mattern, now serving with one of the engi- 
heer regiments. The Secretary will greatly appreciate 
it if those who are in a position to do so will inform 
him of any others of our members who are in the army 
or navy, that our honor roll may be made complete. 
The early volumes of the Fern Bulletin are now rare 
and difficult to get. They contain, besides interesting 
Matter relating to the early activities of the Society, 
More or less of the first work of such men as C. E. Waters 
and A. A. Eaton, descriptions of a few new species, 
and notes on and illustrations of the rarer and more 
Interesting among the old ones. And they would be 
Useful in filling out sets. One member has suggested 
that the Society undertake to reprint Vols. 1-6 of the 
Bulletin, page for page, adding that he would be quite 
willing to pay ten dollars for the set. Ata rough guess, 
a. 
