A vasculum or a botanical box is a stiff container used by botanists to keep field samples viable for transportation. The main purpose of the valsculum is to transport plants without crushing them and by maintaining a cool, humid environment. Vascula are cylinders typically made from tinned and sometimes lacquered iron, though wooden examples are known. The box was carried horizontally on a strap so that plant specimens lie flat and lined with moistened cloth.[1] Traditionally, British and American vascula were somewhat flat and valise-like with a single room, while continental examples were more cylindrical and often longer, sometimes with two separate compartments.[2] Access to the interior is through one (sometimes two) large lids in the side, allowing plants to be put in and taken out without bending or distorting them unnecessarily. This is particularly important with wildflowers, which are often fragile. Some early 20th century specimen are made from sheet aluminium rather than tin, but otherwise follow the 19th century pattern. The exterior is usually left rough, or lacquered green. This item's second image is a painting by Hermann Kern Der Botaniker depicting the artist's view of a botanist with a vasculum.
Description: A vasculum or a botanical box is a stiff container used by botanists to keep field samples viable for transportation. The main purpose of the valsculum is to transport plants without crushing them and by maintaining a cool, humid environment. Vascula are cylinders typically made from tinned and sometimes lacquered iron, though wooden examples are known. The box was carried horizontally on a strap so that plant specimens lie flat and lined with moistened cloth.[1] Traditionally, British and American vascula were somewhat flat and valise-like with a single room, while continental examples were more cylindrical and often longer, sometimes with two separate compartments.[2] Access to the interior is through one (sometimes two) large lids in the side, allowing plants to be put in and taken out without bending or distorting them unnecessarily. This is particularly important with wildflowers, which are often fragile. Some early 20th century specimen are made from sheet aluminium rather than tin, but otherwise follow the 19th century pattern. The exterior is usually left rough, or lacquered green. This item's second image is a painting by Hermann Kern Der Botaniker depicting the artist's view of a botanist with a vasculum. [show more]
Left - Mary Longfellow Cousins (1892-1974) Top Center - Edgar F. Cousins (1888-1983) Bottom Center - Irene Cousins (1887-1973) Right - Herbert Burnham Cousins (1895-1921)
Description: Left - Mary Longfellow Cousins (1892-1974) Top Center - Edgar F. Cousins (1888-1983) Bottom Center - Irene Cousins (1887-1973) Right - Herbert Burnham Cousins (1895-1921)
"Helen Frances Wooster (1906-1985) was the great granddaughter of John Thurston (1800-1865). Helen Frances Wooster was born on April 15, 1906 to Joseph E. Wooster and Myra Jane (Thurston) Wooster in West Tremont, Maine. Joseph E. Wooster was, at various times, a teacher, the Master of a small steamer, carrying freight and a house carpenter. Helen married Marlin Vance McLaughlin (1903-1990), son of James Edward MacLaughlin and Abbie Blin (Skofield) MacLaughlin on August 22, 1927 in Maine. Marlin was a teacher and became a school principal in Connecticut. Helen Frances Wooster died on April 23, 1985 in Montgomery, Alabama."
Description: "Helen Frances Wooster (1906-1985) was the great granddaughter of John Thurston (1800-1865). Helen Frances Wooster was born on April 15, 1906 to Joseph E. Wooster and Myra Jane (Thurston) Wooster in West Tremont, Maine. Joseph E. Wooster was, at various times, a teacher, the Master of a small steamer, carrying freight and a house carpenter. Helen married Marlin Vance McLaughlin (1903-1990), son of James Edward MacLaughlin and Abbie Blin (Skofield) MacLaughlin on August 22, 1927 in Maine. Marlin was a teacher and became a school principal in Connecticut. Helen Frances Wooster died on April 23, 1985 in Montgomery, Alabama." [show more]
Left to Right: John Lawler Whitmore (1879-1933) - son of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore) Aunt Lucy (?) Elizabeth R. (Whitmore) Stanley (1878-1949) - Mrs. Everett George Stanley - daughter of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore) James F. Whitmore (1875-1951) - son of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore) Lucy Ella Lawler Whitmore (1849-1934) - Mrs. William Holden Whitmore Everett George Stanley (1875-1951) - son-in-law of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore)
Description: Left to Right: John Lawler Whitmore (1879-1933) - son of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore) Aunt Lucy (?) Elizabeth R. (Whitmore) Stanley (1878-1949) - Mrs. Everett George Stanley - daughter of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore) James F. Whitmore (1875-1951) - son of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore) Lucy Ella Lawler Whitmore (1849-1934) - Mrs. William Holden Whitmore Everett George Stanley (1875-1951) - son-in-law of Lucy Ella (Lawler Whitmore)
Left to Right: Susan Margaret (Bunker) Newman (1941-) - Mrs. Jarvis W. Newman Velora (Beal) Ellis (1915-2003) - Mrs. Ralph Fulton Ellis Jr. Jarvis W. Newman (1935-)
Description: Left to Right: Susan Margaret (Bunker) Newman (1941-) - Mrs. Jarvis W. Newman Velora (Beal) Ellis (1915-2003) - Mrs. Ralph Fulton Ellis Jr. Jarvis W. Newman (1935-)