tion to members was an important feature of the Chapter work, 

 but in recent years this has not been so conspicuous. It is 

 gratifying to note, however, that the Chapter purposes to return 

 to this feature and, having available for the present year nearly 

 one hundred dollars, expects to publish the index to the first 

 ten volumes of the Ferx Bulletin, and perhaps will also re- 

 print the volumes of the magazine that are now out of print. 

 In this connection it may be said that the editor has nearly ready 

 a new and up-to-date list of the ferns and fern allies of North 

 America which when published will probably be sent to members 

 by an arrangement with the Chapter. 



* * 

 * 



For some years the Connecticut Chautauqua Assembly has 

 held summer sessions near Plainville. Last year one of the 

 speakers was Dr. E. F. Bigelow, formerly editor of the Observer, 

 and a well-known lecturer on outdoor subjects. His course was 

 so successful that the Assembly determined to found the "Bige- 

 low School of Nature Study" witn Dr. Bigelow as director, and 

 to hold a session every summer. The session for 1904 will be 

 held from July 13th to 27th, during which time four courses of 

 eight lectures each on various phases of nature will be given. In 

 addition there will be many other lectures of a more popular 

 nature, many of them illustrated. This year is to be a "fern 

 year" and the editor of the Fern Bulletin expects to be present 

 and in charge of the studies in cryptogams. Special attention 

 will be given to methods of herbarium making, fern collecting, 

 identifying, etc. Certain other studies in flowering plants will 

 also be under his direction. At some time during the session it 

 is proposed to hold a special fern meeting, perhaps under the 

 auspices of the Fern Chapter. More than half the members of 

 the Chapter live within a day's ride of Plainville and it is 

 probable that this would afford the opportunity for a most 

 enthusiastic gathering. There are a large number of special 

 features connected with the work of the school that while not 

 dealing especially with ferns, will be attractive to all fern stu- 

 dents. For information on these points application should be 

 made to the Connecticut Chautauqua Assembly, Hartford. Ad- 

 ditional information about the fern meeting will be found in 

 the July Fern Bulletin. 



