The Fern Lover's Companion 215 



He published his httle book, "Ferns and Fern Alhes of New 

 England," in 1896. Died October 20, 1918. 



Eaton, Alvah Augustu.s. Born at Seabrook, N. H., 

 November 20, 186.5. Studied at the Putnam School in 

 Newburyport, but was largely self-educated. He took uj) 

 teaching for several years, spending three years in Cali- 

 fornia. Returning East, he became a florist and began to 

 write for various fern journals, giving special attention to 

 the fern allies. He prepared the genera Equisciiim and 

 Isoetes for the seventh edition of "Gray's Manual." He 

 proved the keenness of his observing powers by discovering 

 several ferns new to the United States. Died at his home 

 in North Easton, Mass., September 29, 1908. 



Williamson, John. Born in Abernathy, Scotland, 

 about the year 1838. He came to Louisville, Ky., to live 

 in 1866. A wood-carver by trade, he could work skill- 

 fully in wood or metal, and after a time established a brass 

 foundry. His friend, George E. Davenport, writes of him : 

 "He caught as by some divine gift or inspiration the inner- 

 most life and feelings of the wild flowers and ferns, and his 

 marvelously accurate needle transfixed them with revivify- 

 ing power on paper or metal." His "Ferns of Kentucky," 

 issued in 1878, was the first handbook on ferns published 

 in the United States. He died June 17, 1884, in the 

 mountains of West Virginia, whither he had gone for his 

 health. 



