62 



EDITORIAL. 



There is nothing so worthy of imitation as a good example. 

 In July the Plant World inveighed against the use of borrowed 

 articles in the American Botanist, and in August it calmly runs 

 an extract from Harper's Magazine as its leading article. Our 

 contemporary is showing a commendable spirit of emulation. 



During the publication of this magazine the editor has been 

 obliged to decline with thanks, many articles that would no doubt 

 have been eagerly accepted by other publications, and depend for 

 suitable material upon the good offices of the mucilage bottle and a 

 pair of shears. Lest it may be thought that original articles are 

 not wanted, we hasten to say that those declined were so disposed 

 of because of their kind and not their quality. We know that in 

 declining these articles we have been an exception among pub- 

 lishers, but we are trying to make this an exceptional magazine. 

 It is perhaps impossible to give directions for writing exactly the 

 kind of articles we want, but we give herewith a few suggestions 

 which may assist those who are trying to reach our mark. First 

 and foremost, then, avoid the categorical style. Just as soon as 

 you fall to enumerating a list of species your article will run dry. 

 Xot long ago a popular botanical magazine contained an article 

 with seventeen lines of solid italic, this italic being the names of 

 species. How could they interest the public? It is needless to say 

 that we have no desire for such matter. It is well. also, to drop 

 careful descriptions of stem, leaf and flower unless these are 

 essential to a proper comprehension of the ideas you are trying to 

 convey. What is it in the writings of other writers that has 

 interested you ? Is it not what may be called the personal interest, 

 the thoughts and fancies with which certain plants have impressed 

 them ? The case is something like that of the honey-bee. In the 

 chalices of certain flowers the nectar lies and she must gather it 

 with infinite labor ; but it is not until she has got it home and 



