214 The Fekn Lover's Companion 



INIaxox, William Ralph. Born at Oneida, X. Y., 

 February 27, 1877. Was graduated at Syracuse Uni- 

 versity in 1898. Began as aid in cryptogamic botany, 

 United States National Herbarium, 189!), and is now 

 associate curator of the same. Has specialized in scientific 

 work on the pteridophyta, distinguishing himself by the 

 excellence as well as by the large number of his publica- 

 tions, the more important being "Studies of Tropical 

 American Ferns," Nos. 1 to 6. The Ff ;■/; BitUetiu, Torreji 

 Bulletin, American Fern Journal, Fernwori Papers, ct al., 

 have profited from his expert and up-to-date knowledge. 

 He is president of the American Fern Society. 



Parsons, Frances Theodora. Born in Xew York, 

 December .5, 1861. See Smith. Married Commander 

 William Starr Dana of the United States Navy, who was 

 lost at sea. As jNIrs. Dana, she published, "How to Know 

 the Wild Flowers," in 1893, and within ten years more than 

 seventy thousand copies of the book liad been .sold. 

 "According to Season" appeared in 1894. In February, 

 189C, she married Prof. James Russell Parsons, treasurer of 

 the University of the State of New York. In 1899 she 

 published, "How to Know the Ferns." She combined a 

 thorough knowledge of her subject with an easy and 

 graceful style. 



Dodge, Raynal. Born at Newburyport, ]\Iass., 

 September 9, 1844. Ci^'il War veteran. Wounded at 

 Port Hudson, June 28, 1868. A machinist by trade. A 

 careful observer and student of nature, he disco^'ered 

 Aspidium simulatum at Follymill, Seabrook, N. H., in 

 1880. (Whittier's "My Playmate,"" \erse 9.) He dis- 

 covered also the hybrid Aspidium cristatum X Marginale. 



