18 9 2 -] Scientific Neius. fUjfr 



ing of the "Section Avicularia of the genus Polygonum." With the 

 exception of No. VIII.— "The Poplarsof North America"— published 

 in the American Journal of Science and Arts, all other numbers were 

 published in the Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and 

 Sciences. These reached to XVIII., which was issued July 31, 1891. 

 Personally Dr. Watson was a most genial man, full of a quiet cheer- 

 fulness, and good-fellowship which attracted those who knew him. 

 His industry was comparable to that of his English counterpart 

 George Bentham. The cheerful face, the pleasant voice, the quiet 

 steady worker will be sadly missed from the ranks of American 

 botanists.— Charles E. Bessey. 



A seaside laboratory of Natural History in connection with the 

 Leland Stanford Jr. University, will be opened during the coming 

 summer at Pacific Grove, California, on the Bay of Monterey about 

 half way between Monterey and the Point of Pines. This laboratory 

 will be for the purpose of investigations in the life-history of the 

 marine animals and plants of this coast. It will be under the direction 

 of Profs. Gilbert, Jenkins and Campbell of the chairs of zoology, 

 physiology and botany respectively. It will be open to naturalists 

 and others wishing to make special investigations in the anatomy or 

 life-history of animals and to teachers of natural science. For further 

 details those interested may apply to any of the directors at Palo 

 Alto, Cal. 



Mr. G. Pouchet gives in Revue Scientifique the following state- 

 ment of reforms which he thinks should be introduced in the Museum 

 and Jardin des Plantes of Paris. 



The reforms which seem to be most urgent are as follows : 



1. A more direct participation, more active and better conducted, by 

 the official board of the Museum, both in its finances and its several 

 departments. 



2. The restriction of the optional positions to the newly appointed 

 professors of natural history. The Ministerial Commission have hith- 

 erto jeered at this reform. 



3. The participation of the professors of the Museum who are mem- 

 bers of the Institute or doctors of science in the examinations for licen- 

 tiate or doctorate of natural science. 



4. The gradual suppression, or at least the transfer, to Vincennes of 

 the menagerie. 



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