keeping go well together, and since Maeterlinck has placed bee 

 life in a new light, many, even in cities, are taking up bee cul- 

 ture as a pastime. All such will find this little book very use- 

 ful. 



The fact that botanists are not unanimous as to what con- 

 stitutes species and varieties indicates that there is need for 

 careful and extended investigation of the causes that produce 

 them. Those who are minded to go further into the subject 

 will find an excellent discussion of the known facts in Dr. H. M. 

 Vernon's "Variation in Animals and Plants."! In the first part 

 the facts of variation are treated ; in the second the causes of 

 variation are considered,; and in the last, variation in its rela- 

 tion to evolution is discussed. A great number of experiments 

 with both animals and plants are cited, and two chapters are de- 

 voted to Weismann's theory of heredity, which the author is 

 inclined to accept. 



tYariation in Animals and Plants. By II. M. Vernon. New York. 

 Henry Holt & Co. 1903. 12 mo. 415 pp. 



THE LINNEAN FERN CHAPTER 



OF THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION. 



— -The new Advisory Council consists of the following: Past 

 Presidents C. E. Waters, chairman ; A. A. Eaton, W. R. Maxon 

 and B. D. Gilbert. 



— Owing to a change in the treasurer's office, dues for IQ04 

 should be sent to the new treasurer, Mr. C. F. Saunders. 307 Wal- 

 nut street, Philadelphia, Pa. 



— Mr. Robert A. Ware, 246 Devonshire street., Boston, Mass.. 

 generously offers specimens of Polystichum Braunii from Ver- 

 mont to anyone who will send five cents in stamps for mailing. 



—There have been twelve members added' to the Chapter 

 since October 1, 1903. These names and addresses will appear 

 in the list of members to be given in the next annual report which 

 is expected to be ready soon. 



— We regret that a few of the members who have received the 

 Bulletin regularly the past year are yet in arrears for dues. 

 This is undoubtedly only an oversight on their part. The Chap- 

 ter, however, can only be of greatest usefulness when its revenues 



