446
1282 Hunter Ave Columbus, O Jany 8/91
Prof CE Bessey Lincoln, Neb.
Dear Sir I am in receipt of yours of 2nd inst Today I received a note from Mr. Henry H Vail (individual) in regard to what may be done He is convinced of the approval of botanists in issuing an edition of Gray's "Manual" in flexible form and has ordered an estimate of such made - And that he shall know in a few days what can be done with it "If I find the scheme practicable the company will make announcement at once" "On seeing Forrest's Edition of Coulter's 'Manual' I see why that failed of success." Judging from this personal view by the managing editor of the Am. Book Co 2 a little more effective work now will secure the use sought. If issued I presume it will be made to accord with the needs of botanists and will be given to us with narrow [ ] as well as outer [niasguis] I thank you for the cordial reception of my note. Yours Very Truly Aug. D. Selby
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1282 Hunter Ave., Columbus O., Feby 12, 1891
Prof. C. E. Bessey, Lincoln, Neb.
Dear Sir, I am in receipt of an announcement by the American Book Company of a "Special Edition" of Gray's "Manual" on thin paper, for Tourists and Field Use, price $2.00. Mr. H. H. Vail writes: "Following up the suggestion made by you some months ago, the company has resolved to print a special edition of Gray's Manual on their French paper with narrow margins so as to make the book small and compact for satchel use. It will be bound in full leather, limp, and cut flush, very much like a foreign guide book. The binding will be on parchment strips such as are 2 used in the best English Prayer Books, and we shall aim to make it a valuable book for botanists and tourists. Its price will be two dollars." I hope in view of the interest you have taken in such editions of botanies that this will prove acceptable news. It was your suggestion in the Naturalalist for 1886 (July) that led me to write to them about the matter. The succesful issue may be worthy of notice in The Am Naturalist soon Very Respectfully Yours Aug. D. Selby
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Zurich, Schwiz, Febr.18, 1891
Dear Professor: I said I would let you know from time to time how Europe and I got along together and you must be wondering how long a period "from time to time" is. Stress of laziness rather than too much work must bear the blame. I stayed at Berlin about two weeks and saw a few of the many fine Museums and Public Buildings of the German capital. Mr. Frankforter went with me to the Botanical Institute where we met Dr. Schweudeuer and were shown through the laboratory and work rooms. I also attended two of the doctors' lectures, although I could not catch very much of the language. Prof. Engler gave me a permit to visit the Botanical Museums at the Bot. Gardens, so I dissipated by spending a whole day there, and got a great many valuable ideas. There were eight or ten Welwitschias and a number of the cones lying loose on top of a glass case, put there, I suppose for the special purpose of trying the souls of kleptomaniacal botanists. Yet the thought occurred - how long would they stay there if in the U. S., with no one near to watch them.
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