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high, and the air frequently surcharged witli moisture. Duphcates and other
unpoisoned specimens then require tlie greatest attention, and, unless carefully
protected from access to the air, become moulded, and too frequently overrun
and in a week or two partially devoured by insects.
It may not be unacceptable to working botanists to have a recipe which,
under these unfavourable conditions, I am accustomed to use in my own herbarium
; and wliich, after nearly twenty years' experience, I can testify to as
being entirely etBcacious in preserving all plants to which it is thoroughly
applied from the incursions of their troublesome little enemies. It is as
follows :
—
Rectified spirit . . .16 fluid ounces.
Corrosive sublimate . 6 drachms.
Creasote 40 drops.
Let the mixture stand, agitating occasionally, until the sublimate is dissolved
and, when required for use, dilute with an equal volume of hoUands, or, if more
convenient, proof spirit.
BOTANICAL NEWS.
H. F. Hance, Ph.D.
Professor Asa Gray is returning early this month to his native country, after
a tour in Europe.
Dr. Hooker, we hear, is actively at work in preparing a new British Flora.
From Professor Behn we have a pamphlet, written in reply to some remai'ks
of Dr. Kiichenmeister, on the proposed reforms of the ancient Imperial German
L. C. Academy Naturae Curiosorum. There are two diametrically opposed
views held about this matter. The one party hold that only such men as liave
already won tlieir laurels elsewhere should be admitted into the Academy, the
other think it is the special business of the Academy to search out promising
young men for admission, and thus give them an opportunity of bringing forward
tlie result of tlieii- labours. The latter have certainly the ancient charter
on their side. There is much to be said on both sides of the question. It may
appear a greater lionour to be admitted into a scientific body when only
long-established reputation is a passport for admission, but few men will ap-
preciate it to its full extent>fter they have passed through all the drudgery
without the support of a patronizing corporation, and still fewer of that class
will regard it as a fresh spur to exertion. On the other liand, by admitting
promising, untried men, great mistakes may be made. Humboldt acted on the
latter principle : he mainly looked to the rising scientific generation, and to
that ho gave his principal support. He had the keenness to single out Liebig
when the" latter, perfectly unknown to fame, was reading a short paper, and he
was equally fortunate in many others whom he countenanced, but he is ad-
mitted tohave fallen also into some sad mistakes.