A Quaint Old Work on Seaweeds ^ 



Arthur Hollick 



This unique and rare work is worthy of extended mention for 

 several reasons. As an example of bookmaking it is in a class 

 by itself; only a limited edition, of fifty copies, was issued; it is 

 of historical as well as of scientific interest and value ; it contains 

 numerous local references ; and finally, this particular copy came 

 into the possession of the Association in a peculiar manner. 



About six years ago the late Edward L. Morris, at that time 

 curator of botany at the Central Museum of the Brooklyn In- 

 stitute, showed me a copy which for half a century or more had 

 been in the library of the Institute, unrecorded and forgotten. 

 Its origin was unknown to anyone at the Museum and Mr. Morris 

 stated that he would be grateful for any information which might 

 be of assistance in learning something more about it than could 

 be obtained from the title page. It was especially desirable to 

 ascertain if any other copies were in existence, and to secure them 

 if possible, in order that they might be placed where they would 

 be available for those who would appreciate their artistic, historic, 

 and scientific value. The interest of our fellow member, Mr. 

 William T. Davis, was also enlisted in the quest and he caused a 

 notice to be printed in the Staten Islander of November 30, 1910, 

 briefly outHning the circumstances mentioned, and closing with 

 the suggestion : " It will be much appreciated if any one having a 

 copy of this work will communicate the fact to Wm. T. Davis, 

 New Brighton, N. Y." 



In the meantime Mr. Morris had succeeded in getting into 



1 Algae I and | Corallines ] of the | Bay & Harbor of New York | Illus- 

 trated with Natural Types | by | C. F. Durant | New York | George P. 

 Putnam, 155 Broadway | Printed by Narine & Co. | 1850. 4to full calf, 

 pp. 43, pis. 42. 



Presented in abstract at the meeting of the Association March 19, 1915. 



85 



