To our readers Dr. Curtis is probably best known by his little book, "The Woody Plants of North Carolina," which was first issued in 1860. Dr. Curtis died in 1872, but no extended account of his botanical career and scientific services has ever been prepared. This good work has now been accomplished by Dr. Thomas F. Wood, of Wilmington, in the proceedings of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, together with an excellent portrait of the botanist. From this we learn that he was born in Stockbridge, Mass., on May nth, 1808; went to Wilmington, North Carolina, 1830, as a tutor in the family of Governor Dudley; returned to Boston and commenced study for the ministry in l833-'34; returned South in 1834, marrying in December of that year Mary De Rosset, daughter of Dr. De Rosset, of Wilmington, and was ordained as an Episcopalian minister by Bishop Moore, of Virginia, in 1835. He took up his residence at Lincolnton and commenced missionary work. From 1837 to 1839 he was a teacher in the Episcopal school at Raleigh. Following his clerical duties he dwelt in 1840 in Washington, removing the next year to Hillsboro, where he remained six years. In April, 1847, we find him at Society Hill, where he resided nine years.

In 1856 he removed to Hillsboro, where he died in 1872.

Scattered between these dry periods in the history of this good man are numerous personal notes and reminiscences connected with his botanical career, the whole making an extremely interesting chapter of 31 pages, for which all who venerate Dr. Curtis' memory will heartily thank Dr. Wood.