﻿148 FIELD AND FOREST. 



missioner of Agriculture to investigate and report., under the provision 

 of the last Congress for a commission on forestry. 



An organized association of this kind, should exercise a prompt and 

 persistent influence in procuring more efficient legislation to prevent 

 the spoliation of forests on public lands, and in enforcing such laws. 

 There is much prohibition now, but the law is practically a dead 

 letter. 



Franklin Society of Providence, R. I. — A Botanical Section of 

 this Society has been instituted, which meets every alternate Thursday 

 evening. In addition to the exhibition of specimens and the friendly 

 exchange of views, a topic is chosen for discussion, and to this spec- 

 ial attention is given. It is also proposed that the Association devote 

 itself to the systematic work of collection of Rhode Island plants, 

 and to establish exchanges. &c. Ladies as well as gentlemen take part 

 in the proceedings, and a growing interest is manifested in the science 

 to which the Society is devoted. The officers are : W. W. Bailey, 

 Chairman, L. W. Russel, Secretary. 



OUR BOOK SHELF. 



A Catalogue of the Forest Trees of the United States, by 

 Geo. Vasey, M. D. (8 vo. pp. 38.] Washington, Government 

 Printing Office, 1876. 



This is a catalogue of the forest trees of the United States, which 

 usually attain a height of sixteen feet or more. Four hundred and 

 nineteen species are represented, the. more important species being 

 accompanied with notes as to peculiarities or use, habitat, &c, with 

 brief description, making altogether an interesting and useful pam- 

 phlet. It illustrates the collection of forest tree sections on exhibi- 

 tion by the Department of Agriculture at the Centennial Exhibition, 

 Philadelphia. The collection was very complete, having been made 

 with great care, many of the specimens having been received from 

 remote portions of the United States. 



On Excrescences and Eccentric Wood-Growths on the Trunks 

 of Trees, By Thos. Meehan. From Proceedings of Academy of 

 Natural Sciences,- Philadelphia. 



