lOO 
THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
on dried specimens. ]\lany of our most distinguished scientists 
rarely go afield for study. Anyone who has noted the difference 
between the dead and flattened mummy of a plant and its living 
counterpart can readily realize that the closet student may become 
so familiar with the dried specimens as to scarcely recognize re- 
cently gathered material. It is told of a prominent New England 
botanist that when he found it difficult to identify a living plant, 
he used to say, ''Well, let's dry it and then see how it looks." And 
fern students assert that a certain prominent authority at Kew 
refused to name ferns submitted to him unless they were first 
dried ! Students of plants, therefore, should not too easily be- 
come convinced that their observations are wrong. Possibly the 
book is at fault. And in any case when book and student do not 
agree, it is well to make a note of the difference and get the opin- 
ion of (Others about it. 
Dr. Adolf Wagner of Innsbruck, Austria, announces that be- 
ginning with January, 1903, he will issue a bi-weekly publication 
devoted to abstracts of original botanical articles, such abstracts 
to be furnished by the authors. No charge is to be made for 
publishing the abstracts. The first year's subscription has been 
fixed at 28 kroners. 
With the increase in the interest in natural history has come 
the desire to grow and study plants from other localities. Among 
those who are catering to this want, a prominent place must be 
given to Mrs. S. B. Walker of Sedalia, Colorado and Harlan P. 
Kelsey, Kawana, N. C. Mrs. Walker's specialty is seed of Col- 
orado wild flowers. The editor has had considerable pleasure 
the past summer in watching the development of plants from 
some of this seed. Mr. Kelsey' s specialty is hardy native plants 
and the catalogue that describes them is so finely illustrated, that 
it is worth preserving with other botanical literature. His nur- 
series at Kawana are in charge of a member of the American Bot- 
anical club. Mrs. Walker also issues a catalogue. A copy of 
either catalogue may be had for the asking. 
