The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-08


turA Of this region tells many = story OF
ehe discoveries among our native plants by
che earliest vssison. New species discov-
ed were often named In their honor.
- ana notable example may be- cited tho
noodrona, which was named by the bot
eaiDt Frederick Pursch Arbutus. menxiesi.
- honor OF the discoversr Of the tree,
Archibald Mcnxies. who was tho sur
goon and naturalist on the expedition OK
Capt. George Vancouver. when he ex-
pIored Puget sound and other portions
u the west coast in 1892. Many other ear
1y scientists gathered honors among the
Recosts OF Puget sound. Notwithstanding
au this work Of mora than q century. the
eAlA u sttil rich In undiscovered mate
1ole awaiting the work OF the careful
botArist.
praf. Charles v. Piper.
The most successful botanst at work
now in this field II Prof. Charles ". Piper,
" The Washington agricultural college
and school Of science at Pullman, this
state. He graduated from tho University
q Washington territory in the class Of
3De5. and since that time no has been an
oncessant worker and student, especially
b the fields OF botany and entomology.
He says very little about his own work.
and It - impossible to learn very much
about tho details or what he has accom-
paished even IN a single year. I had the
Dleasurc. not long ago, Of = days bota-
mixing With him In swamp near Spo-
Rare. and ! can testify that IL he kept up
Me same rate Of speed for thirty days he
would fill an ordinary herbarium full to
everfiowing. Nothing seemed to escape
BIS pracsioss eye. and he gathered quaint
eles Of every species 30 he would lie ena-
bied to exchange with betanis;s ali over
The world. He has been professor OF BIZ
ology In the Same institution for six years,
And am told by those who have visit
~ the laboratories there thar he has
oxnassed wonderful collections OF botanical
and chronological specimens. He is ahso-
1uteiy tree from selfishness and SO the
college gets the full benefit of his collect
ing. whether done during his vacations
o. at other times.
A Forthcoming hook.
/ have never seen a public announce
mentsof the fact that Prof Piper Is
about to publish work eli the botany OF
Tho state OF Washington. and yet l have
heard this stated by many people inter
estcd In this study. and they all hope It's
appearance viii not he enuch longer de-
fsrred. lie Is quite generally recognized
a. thu best authority on our botany. and
such a book Is greatly needed. There il
now no book covering the botany Of this
connection with the California geological
survey. and these volumes are not easily
obtalned. They are very useful. bat
Washington botany Is obtained from them
often through the flns print foot note.
- the work was intended particularly 10,
California. The WORK Prof. Piper has in
hand requires. OF course. q vast amour,
81 research. and he will not publish Il
until he Is satisfied that tho work Is
worth publication. / asked him about his
book not Icing age. ana he replied In q
characteristic way:
'ohl don't can IL my Botany OF Wash.
ingson. Is Is simply going 70 be an an.
nosstsd list OF the plants OF this state"
New Plants Discovered
I have often heard about number. O.
rev plants discovered by Prof piper. ard
especially about new grass he found IN
Mount Rainier. which was named In his
honor. but OF these ala nos keep memo.