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NOTICES 
New Creations in Plant Life. An Authori- 
tative Account of the Life and Work of 
Luther Burbank. By W. S. Harwood. 
New \ork City: The Macmillan Com- 
pany. 
This is a revision of a book well-known 
to our readers as we have given each of the 
severeal editions a special notice. All those 
interested in the work which Luther Bur- 
bank is doing with flowers and plants 
should read the book. We believe that all 
our constituency is thus interested and that 
many will be glad to have this great plant 
breeder himself tell what he has done, how 
he has done it, and especially the difficulties 
he has encountered and how he has strug- 
gled to overcome them. He success has been 
great and is well merited. 
The Life of Jean Henri Fabre. By the Abbe 
Augustin Fabre. Translated by Bernard 
Miall. New York City: Dobb, Mead 
and Company. 
If all writers on scientific subjects were 
as interesting as M. Fabre, many would 
agree with him that scientific investigation 
is one of the great joys of life — many who 
now shudder at the prospect of reading a 
book on biology, anthropology or any other 
“ology”. For Fabre was a great magician. 
He was the good fairy of the scientific 
world, describing his discoveries and obser- 
vations of his friends, the insects, with a 
keen sense of humor, a quick appreciation 
of the dramatic and a grace and charm of 
expression that have never been equaled in 
the history of science. 
In October, 1915, Henri Fabre passed away 
quietly at the advanced age of ninety-two, 
at his modest home in the south of France. 
For the last twenty years he had been able 
to devote his entire time to the dearest wish 
of his life — the uninterrupted study of his 
little insects. 
Life and Letters of Henry Lee Higginson. 
By Bliss Perry. A vitally human record 
of an American soldier, citizen, man of 
affairs, patron of education and music, 
master of friendship. Boston, Massa- 
chusetts; The Atlantic Monthly Press. 
The primary interest of this biography 
to members of The Agassiz Association and 
other readers of this magazine is the fact 
that Mrs. Higginson, still living, is the 
daughter of Louis Agassiz. Mr. Higginson 
was also closely associated with Professor 
Alexander Agassiz and with other members 
of the family. 
The book merits attention by reason of 
Mr. Higginson's prominence in military, 
banking and especially in musical affairs. 
For a long time he supported the Boston 
Symphony Orchestra. 
The biographer, well-known as a skillful 
writer, has done his work well. From the 
great mass of data, letters, etc., that must 
have been placed at his disposal, he has 
selected and put into acceptable shape that 
material which the reader will be glad to 
have. The book should be interesting not 
only to Bostonians and to Members of The 
Agassiz Association, but should have signi- 
ficance to the general public as Major 
Higginson’s life was such as should be in- 
spiring to any one anywhere. He had deal- 
ings with so many public interests that his 
life is a parallel comment upon world mat- 
ters, notably the Civil War and the great 
World War. He died November 14, 1919. 
Had he lived four years longer he would 
have been eighty-five years of age. 
The editor of this magazine had the pleas- 
ure of personal acquaintance with Major 
Higginson and greatly enjoyed a friendly 
chat with him at his office in Boston. He 
gave one the impression in personal conver- 
sation of great ability and of great kindness 
of heart, and of thorough familiarity with 
educational and musical matters, although 
he was what would generally be called a 
man of affairs. His friendship was highly 
prized by those that had intimate acquaint- 
ance with him. Mr. Perry has done his work 
well as might naturally be expected. He 
is a skillful writer and author of note. He 
has given us a pleasing and inspiring book. 
The Ravine. 
High on the wooded hillside, 
In the heart of the forest wide, 
A little ravine lay hidden, 
Running the path beside. 
Emerald mosses lined it, 
E’en to its outer rim. 
And ferns in fairy circles, 
Were filling it to the brim. 
’Twas one of Nature’s jewels, 
Embedded in casket green. 
That, but for rare good fortune, 
Would never have been seen. 
The maker of all this beauty, 
Up there under the blue, 
A tiny rill of water, 
Now leaping, now trickling through. 
- — Emma Peirce. 
