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,now know how to interpret, and once broken, it can never be 
replaced. 
The Everglades of Florida have a most peculiar formation, ab- 
solutely without parallel. At the present time, they are being 
drained and used for the cultivation of pineapples. 
Our noble sequoias, the ‘‘ Big Trees” of the far West, are an 
endemic species, and more of them should be reserved. 
characteristic formations as the above and others of equal 
importance should be preserved, and to this end steps should be 
taken at once, for changes are so rapid that it will soon be too 
late. Only by the prompt action of our State Legislatures and 
National Government will our country be saved from the fate of 
all countries of older civilization. Lloyd Praeger says in his 
“Trish Topographical Botany,” ‘It is not easy to conjecture the 
primeval condition of the fertile portions of this country, before 
tillage, grazing, and drainage began to play their part. We can 
conceive great woods and thickets, open park-like land and 
grassy downs, but the details of the primitive vegetation we may 
never know.” 
The ies of the preservation of our native plants is a vital 
one. cerns all our people from the President of the United 
States to fs little child of the kindergarten. Only by the hearty 
coéperation of all can the day be saved, and Nature come in to 
her own again. 
Mary PERLE ANDERSON. 
BEVERAGES OF VEGETABLE ORIGIN.* 
At first thought it may appear a useless refinement to stop 
and consider the correct meaning of the term ‘‘ beverage’’; but 
on second thought we note that many substances are drunk 
under this name for other effects than those of a beverage proper. 
A beverage may be defined as something drunk for the purpose 
of satisfying or allaying thirst. Although thirst is specially 
manifested by dryness and distress of the mouth and throat, the 
* Abstract of a lecture delivered at the New York Botanical Garden. 
