The Portland daily press., 1895-07-13
MAINE BOTANISTS.
An Interesting Session at Rooms of
Natural History Society.

Discussed-The Session to Continue
Today.
The convention of Maine botanists
opened in this city yesterday at the rooms
of the Natural History Society on Elm
street. There was much larger atten-
dance than was expected, showing that
the interest in the subject has not been
over estimated by the promoters of the
affair Among those present from out of
town were: Merritt L. Fernald of Har-
ward College, and son of ex-President
Fernald of the Maine State College, the
promoter of the affair; Mr.. Frank S.. Col
ms of Maiden, Mass, an expert on the
subject of marine algae, Miss Helen Beede
OF Harrington, formerly teacher in the
normal school there Miss Mary A. Clark
of Ellsworth, whose reputation as a bota-
mist is we'll known; Miss Emma L. Hack
er, of the normal school at Plymouth,
| N. n. ; Miss Kate Furbish of Brunswick,
well known from her paintings of flowers
of Maine; Mr.. H. K. Morrill, of the Gar
diner Home journal, and wife
Prof A L. Lane of the Coburn CLASH
cal Institute, Wateryille; Ellen A. Wins
| low, Lizzie NJ Griggs of Westbrook; Eva
| B. Jones and Stella NJ Davis of Deering
John f. Dinsmore, Auburn ; Francis E.
| Sweetsir, Cumberland Centre; Eva 7.
| Wooster, Rockland; Edward B. Chamber
lain, Bristol; Mrs. Harriet r. George,
Thomaston; Lincoln Owen of Boston;
Annie L. Richardson, of Cornish; Helen
NJ Marret of Standish and M Isabel Lib
by of Saco. Quite a number of Portland
botanists and their friends were also
present so that the audience room was
we'll filed at the opening of the morning
session. 4.
In the absence of Dr. Wood the presi-
dent of the Natural History Society, Mr..
Joseph P. Thompson, the vice president
of the society, called the convention to
order and welcomed the visitors to the
city and to the rooms of the society," He
spoke of the qualification it gave to the
| Portland Society to see the interest taken
in the subject, being a branch of nature
study to which much attention had been
given by the society and it's presidents
during many years
/ Prof. A. L. Lane was nominated as
temporary chairm an, and Mrs. Mary E.
Taylor, teacher Of botany in the Portland
schools as secretary. A committee of ar
rangements was appointed consisting of
Messrs. Fernald and Thompson, Mrs
Beede and Misses Furbish and Cram
/ After consultation this committee report
ed through Mr.. Fernald that there was
present Mr.. Frank S. Collins of Maiden,
Mass, who had given much attention to
the subject of marine algae, and that he
had been invited to offer few remarks
on that subject. Mr.. Collins took the
stand and gave very interesting talk
4 about the algae He gave a sketch of
the family of marine plants, how they
were found, their mode of growth, CLASH
fication, and many interesting points in
connection with them. He also gave di-
rections for collecting, mounting and
preserving them. By the way of illustra-
ting his remarks Mr.. Collins brought with
him many mounted specimens of algae
which he spread out on the table and
told those present to help themselves and
he would identify them for those inter
ested. He also exhibited copies of the
large work on the subject which he, in
connection with two other gentlemen, are
publishing, which will be valuable
contribution to the literature ON the
algae A unique feature of these volumes.
of which three have SO far been issued,
is, that instead of illustrations made in
tI,a ~
the varieties described are used.
The committee next announced that
Miss Kate Furbish of Brunswick would
give talk on how she painted flowers.
Miss Kurdish brought with her by way
of illustrating her talk, some specimens
of plants which she had collected at Po-
land Springs, many of which were rare
and not included in any published list.
Her talk was an informal one and ended
in the Audience gathering around her tc
examine her plants and ask her ques.
tions in regard to them.
Mr.. Fernald then stated that as Mr..
Collins would not be able to stay longer
than one day, many would like to ar
range for an excursion to the shore in the
afternoon, inst cad of holding a session al
the rooms. 20 that those interested in the
algae could get the benefits of his hints
on collecting. Many species of the algae,
though common enough to those who
understand where to look for them, are
more difficult for the novice to find. So il
was arranged to meet at the Cape Eliza
beth ferry at 2 o'clock for trip to the
shore. The remainder of the morning
session was devoted to informal talk ano
, mutual exchange of ideas on the subject
in which all were interested.
, AT 2 O'Clock nearly the same party that
, was present in the forenoon went to the
Cape under the leadership of Mr.. Johr
K. Parks curator of the department. Of
, botany of the Portland Society of Natu
raj History. AT Fort Preble they were
, joined by Lieut.. Gale, who is all enthu
/ siastic botanist andEa member of the com.
, mittee on botany of the Portland Society
Although the tides were too high to ad-
nit of the best collecting, about 20 speci
mems of algae were found by various
| H. e