Evening star., 1928-12-09
ny MARGARET B. DOWNING.

AFR. william voynich, the celebrated
collector of medieval manuscripts, has
recently presented to the Library OF
Congress an exquisitely illuminated vol
line' Of the papal state papers during
the fourteenth century. 1t is of vellum,
and is a striking example of the splen-
did work of that era. Dr.. Putnam in
vtted some friends in to examine this
valuable addition to the manuscript
division, and to state that coincldentiy
with the volume of papal decretals mao
been received from an anonymous donor
a CODY of the printed text of the papers
published in 1914 and accompanying
the rescript of the bulls as issued from
the Vatican press. In this assortment OF
papal pronouncements was the valuable
one by Pope Boniface VIII of the Gae-
tani family on the subject then very
acute in italy over the newly estab-
iiShed medical usage of disSecting the
human body The art of surgery as
applied to anator had come to Italy
VIA Iouvain and Paris, and at once the
question became a matter of civil and
ecclesiastical probing. That so precious
q heritage as the fourteenth century
manuscript containing the edlct OF
Pope Boniface need not be placed be-
fore even the most erudite of research
srS is a matter on which the autho-i-
ties of the Library are heartily con-
9ratulating themselves. The printed
Saxt Is large and plain, and accompanied
hy many notes of historical Importance.
Since ell writer's of medical history,
and specially students seeking the de-
sTea q doctor, frequently hark back
10 IT, beginnings Of surgery and
anatomy, the Library of Congress in
offering this source of information will
inaugurate a pilgrimage for the future
profession.
DR.. and Mrs Roy Chapman Andrews
are relating to their friends an expe-
ricnce which is without parallel in mar
tial warfare Mr.. Andrews. scholarly
explorer of the New York City Museum
of Natural History. was passing from
the Cobb Desert with his wife, formerly
Miss Yvette Bc<up and a scientist her
self, with some priceless photographs
and specimens when he came upon a
fierce battle between the armies strug-
Cling for the possession of Peking. He
was in anguished haste, so to speak. to
communicate certain information by
cable, so he risked asking the permis-
sion to pass the lines in safety and pro-
eeed on his way Immediately the COM
manding general, on hearing the re-
quest of the messenger, halted proceed
ings, communicated with the general of
the opposing side and the battle ceased
long enough for 'the great American
the Incompatible Andrews" as an
nounced by the gun salute. to cross with
his train of attendants and continue his
way to the sea. Then the battle re-
commenced with greater fury Dr. An
drews has focused world attention on
the Cobb Desert where he believes was
situated the Garden of Eden since the
human remains proclaim greater age
than those excavated in Western Asia
He is to lecture before the Geographic
cal Society during the coming season
and is to relate something of these ad-
ventures.
DR.. David Grandson .Fairchild, emil
neat botanist of the Department of
Agriculture. recently returned. from
TRIP to Florida, where he spoke before
thS Third Annual Convention of the
State Federation OF Garden Clubs held
at Winter Garden DIR. Fairchild is an
intense advocate Of perpetuating the
horal charm of each separate environ
ment in the family of States and made
an eloquent appeal for the preserva- \
ton of the graceful cocoa palms which
line the Eastern seaboard and make
Florida so reminiscent of Tahiti or
Samoa. In many places plans are afoot
to chop down these trees, and also the
mangroves with their queerly distorted
trunks and branches and those superb
lofty pines of the Caribbean, in order
to extend a seawall straight down the
ocean front. DR.. Fhirchilo hopes the
members of the garden clubs will take
this matter in hand Seawalls, like
hoardwalks, are merely utilitarian con-
siderations and should have no place
except in isolated spots for convenience
of crowds in centers of population. Dr.
Fairchild's country home, In the
Woods, at Chevy Chase, Md is an
eloquent plea for the ideas which he is
seeking to instill into the hearts of all
those who plan gardens. large or small.
He has used every natural. feature to
advantage and planted each tree and
shrub with an eye to its presentation
IN years hence. A glorious Japanese
cherry tree is the pride of his flower
plot. and. after the Oriental custom, he
has named the tree MAIDEN, beloved, :"
and it towers over younger growths of
the same variety planted some years
later. Mrs. Fairchild was Marian Hub
bard Bell, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.