University and Industry

Abstract

SCIENCEthus to one whose investigations have been confined to those species growing in the temperate zones, Cinchona furnishes splendid opportunity for the extension of his work to such allied tropical species.A tropical rain-forest presents peculiar conditions. The plants do not show the marked periodicity characteristic of colder and dryer regions. Where the temperature and rainfall are so nearly constant a t all times of the year ss at Cinchona, one is likely to find all of the stages in the life history of a species on almost any single day, and conditions are favorable for collecting the year around. I n the plants of a tropical rain-forest, moreover, there is much less cutin, fewer hairs, etc., to interfere with the penetration of fixing solutions, and hence there is the probability of better fixation. That such is not in all cases true is evidenced through the impermeability of the walls of fern sporangia, and the hairiness of the leaves of the Gymnogrammeae may be as striking here as elsewhere.To the cytological collector a compound microscope is an absolute necessity; and such a permanent station as that at Cinchona, therefore, seems to be the only solution to the accessibility of such regions. The buildings at Cinchona, including two cottages, a two-room laboratory, the drying house, the dark room, the greenhouses and the garden, were all in good condition when I left there in December last. Through the kind offices of Mr. William Harris at Hope Gardens servants were made available, and one's personal needs adequately supplied. The space is s&cient for a number of investiigators at one time, and life there is very pleasant indeed.