6 West American Scientist. 



Sometimes several spikf lets are clustered together at the apex 

 of the culm, with only one pair of empty glumes for all. 



This interesting little grass was collected in April last near San 

 Ouentin Bay, Lower California, by Mr. C. R. Orcutt, whose zeal 

 and industry in the cause of natural science has greatly increased 

 our knowledge of that region, and has brought to light a con- 

 siderable number of new species in addition to the present genus. 

 I take pleasure in naming it as a proper recognition of his work. 



Description of Plate: Figure i, plant, natural size; figure 

 2, a spikelet magnified; figures 3. 4 and 5, different forms of the 

 glumes enlarged; figure 6, palet, style and siamen, enlarged. 



Dr. George Vasey, 



THE GRASS OF THE FIELD. 



If the humble grass of the field, 

 Whose bloom passes quickly away, 

 When morning breaks o'er hill and vale, 

 Is clothed in beauty's bright array. 



Shall not the lovers of beauty, 

 By the Author of all things fair, 

 Be clothed vvith immortal bloom. 

 And His love and His glory share? 



E. E. 

 November 16, 1886. 



EMINENT NATURALISTS.— Ill 



AUGUSTUS A. GOULD, M. D. 



The name of Dr. Gould well deserves a place in the list of those 

 .who have done noble work in the department of Natural History. 

 A good man and a true, kind, patient, and full of perseverance, 

 he has left an example worthy of imitation, and full of encourage- 

 ment for all who are striving to accomplish by patience what they 

 can not hope to gain by rapid and brilliant achievements. 



A native of New Hampshire, born in 1805, most of his life was 

 spent in Boston, in the practice of his profession. 



He was a thorough student and wrote largely on conchological 

 subjects, his most noted works being " The Invertebrate Animals 

 of Massachusetts," and "Mollusks and Shells of the United States 

 Exploring Expedition under Capt- Wilkes," 'The MoUusca of the 

 North Pacific Expedition under Capts. Ringgold and Rogers. "^ 

 and '■ Otia Conchologlca." 



