Dear Natural Historians, The Delta Institute of Natural History (in Bowdoin, Maine) is a center for instruction in, as its name indicates, natural history topics. Initially, course offerings focus on plant identification, but the plan is to expand into subjects such as amphibians and reptiles, mammals, and fungi to name a few. Courses generally run from 1-3 days, are usually on Fridays, Saturdays, and/or Sundays, and cost between $50 and $150 to make them accessible to as many persons as possible. In addition to its own courses, the Institute is offering courses in cooperation with the New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS). A schedule of the latter is expected to be released in a few weeks. Courses presented independently by the Delta Institute (posted at http://www.vfthomas.com/deltahome.htm) are: Salix (willow) identification - instructor George Argus - 11-13 June 2004 Carex - instructor Tony Reznicek - 3 July 2004 Isoetes - instructor Carl Taylor - 20-21 August 2004 (possibly 21-22 August) Dryopteris and Hybrids - instructor James Montgomery - 27-28 August 2004 I plan to send an e-mail every month or two to update you on news about the Delta Institute, its course offerings, herbarium, library, etc. If you prefer not to receive this e-mail, please let me know, and I will remove your name for this list. Thanks, Tom Thomas F. Vining V. F. Thomas Co. Delta Institute of Natural History 219 Dead River Road Bowdoin, ME 04287 207-266-5748 = 207-BOOKS-4-U http://www.vfthomas.com