WARD, Lester Frank, botanist, born in Joliet, Illinois, 18 June, 1841. He was educated at various schools, but served in the National army in the civil war, during which he was wounded. In 1865 he settled in Washington, where he served in the treasury department, principally as chief of the division of navigation and immigration, and as librarian of the United States bureau of statistics. While holding office he was graduated at Columbian university in 1869 and at its law department in 1871, and in 1873 for higher studies was given the degree of A.M. He began the study of botany in 1872, and has followed that science professionally since 1874. In 1881 he entered the service of the United States geological survey as assistant geologist, and in 1888 attained the grade of geologist, devoting his attention chiefly to the study of paleo-botany. He also holds the office of honorary curator of botany and fossil plants in the United States national museum. Mr. Ward is a member of scientific societies, and his bibliography includes about 200 titles. His larger works are "Guide to the Flora of Washington and Vicinity" (Washington, 1881) ; "Dynamic Sociology, or Applied Social Science" (2 vols., New York, 1883);"Sketch of Paleo-Botany" (Washington, 1885); " Synopsis of the Flora of the Laramie Group" (1886); "Types of the Laramie Flora" (1887) : and "Geographical Distribution of Fossil Plants" (1888).