52 
Philadelphia Florist," an illustrated monthly magazine, — the 
first of its kind in America, and equal in merit to similar 
publications abroad. This magazine was in advance of its 
time, and after a struggle for three years, it was discontinued 
on account of lack of sufficient financial support, although its 
superior worth as a horticultural magazine was generally 
recognized. Thomas Meehan said of it that had it been 
possible to continue it, there would have been "no room" in 
the United States for another magazine of like character. 
In the year 1852 Scott also conducted a series of "con- 
versations upon Botany and Horticulture" for young garden- 
ers and others. These lectures were given at the Hall of the 
Chinese Museum, near Ninth and Chestnut Streets, Phila- 
delphia. Scott was a constant contributor to "Moore's Rural 
New Yorker," "Emery's Journal" and "Prairie Farmer," 
"The Horticulturalist" and "Germantown Telegraph." He 
also prepared the "Year Book of the Farm and Garden for 
i860," published by A. M. Spangler. 
Scott had a well'stored, trained mind, and his writings 
are presented in a pleasing and readable style. He wrote 
much, and he was an intimate of the best horticultural writers 
of his time. Robert Robinson Scott's name will always live 
in botanical literature from his connection with a rare fern, 
known as "Scott's Spleenwort," a plant he discovered on 
"Robert's Run," near Schuylkill River, at a spot near the 
present Pencoyd Iron Works. Scott with several companions 
had long explored the surrounding country for rare plants 
without success, but this plant "came to him" and gave his 
name a place in every botanical text book of importance. 
This rare plant is technically known as asplenium Ebenoides, 
— that is, like Ebony spleenwort, — for immediately upon its 
discovery, its dual character suggested that it might be a 
hybrid. The plant is a constant topic of discussion, a subject 
for experiment, but whatever the outcome, Scott's name is 
secure. 
The remaining member of the group we have in outline 
attempted to introduce, the best known, and the ablest, was 
