488 The American Naturalist. [May, 
tology in the Department of Agriculture may well be ranked as of 
most importance. The purpose of this division is set forth as follows 
in the bill making the appropriation. 
“ Investigations and Experiments with Grasses and Forage Plants, 
Diwision of Agrostology: Field and laboratory investigations relating 
to the natural history, geographical distribution, and uses of the various 
grasses and forage plants, and their adaptability to special soils and 
climates; establishment and maintenance of experimental grass sta- 
tions; employment of local and special agents and assistants; col- 
lection of seeds, roots, and specimens for experimental cultivation and 
distribution ; materials, tools, apparatus, supplies, and labor required 
in conducting experiments ; freight and express charges and traveling 
expenses; the preparation of drawings and illustrations for special 
reports, and the preparation of illustrated circulars of information, bul- 
letins, and monographie works on the forage plants and grasses of 
North America, fifteen thousand dollars.” 
The liberal spirit of Secretary Morton toward scientific investigation 
is well shown in the wording of the section quoted, and it is a pleasure 
as genuine as it is rare, to be able to fully and heartily commend an 
action initiated wholly by a Government official. The wisdom of 
selecting a man who is more than, and above the mere politician for 
the Department of Agriculture, was never better illustrated. 
HARLES E. BEssry. 
Gray’s Field, Forest, and Garden Botany.'—Twenty-seven 
years ago Dr. Gray brought out the first edition of a book under this 
name, which has been very widely used in the public schools of the 
United States. even beyond the territory for which it was intended. 
The old book had long outlived its usefulness, and a new edition should 
have been made long ago, but the death of its author delayed the 
_revision until the present time, when from the hand of Professor Bailey 
we have the rewritten work. 
The familiar appearance of the old book is preserved, as well as the 
general mode of treatment, the sequence of families, ete. In the 
words of Professor Bailey “it is still Asa Gray’s botany, and the 
reviser has attempted nothing more than to bring it down to date.” 
That this work has been conscientiously done is shown on every page, 
‘Field, Forest and Garden Botany ; a simple introduction to the common plants 
of the United States east of the 100th Meridian, both wild and cultivated. By 
Asa Gray, late Fisher Professor of Natural History in Harvard University. 
Revised and extended by L. H. Bailey. American Book Company, New York. 
