THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
answers to. Address these letters to the editor at JoHet, 111., 
and send them as soon as convenient. Although this offer 
does not apply to present subscribers wc will add that we 
shall be glad to consider any suggestions they may make for 
improving the magazine. The editor has no particular line 
of botany to which he is committed; his sole interest is in 
giving the botanical public what it wants. 
In addition to what Dr. Bailey has said in this num- 
ber about the "deadly upas tree," the editor notes that he 
has had occasion to spend several pleasant mornings in the 
shade of what is probably the largest upas tree in the west- 
ern hemisphere. We noted that the small birds flitted 
among its branches, lizards played upon its trunk and grass 
grew in its shade, exactly as they would do with any other 
tree. Moreover, the authorities had placed a seat close to 
the trunk and upon this seat we rested while ruminating on 
the credulity of the general public in botanical matters. 
The editor, who keeps one eye on the subscription list, 
notices among recent additions an unusual number of 
teachers of bctany, and being himself a teacher of botany, 
suggests to these teachers that any hints or criticisms that 
will help make the magazine of greater usefulness to them 
will be appreciated. It has been his aim to put into the 
publication such matter as may interest the general putn 
He in the plants themselves, believing that when such an 
interest is aroused the actual work of teaching is greatly 
diminished. He has not pretended to offer directions for 
class work, knowing that teachers who read the botanical 
magazines do not need such directions, but will gladly re- 
ceive notes or longer contributions that will advance us to- 
vard the goal for which we are striving. 
