56 Rhodora (Marcu 
NOTES ON RECENT PunLICATIONS.— A detailed descriptive and copi- 
ously illustrated flora of California is an undertaking of such magnitude 
that even its courageous inception becomes decidedly interesting. Of 
Professor Jepson’s work! two fascicles, covering chiefly such arboreal. 
groups as the pines, willows, and oaks, have been issued. Their 
plan is noteworthy. Itis at once evident that the author has felt none 
of the space-limits which ordinarily tend to compression. The de- 
scriptions are unusually full, bibliography is generous, ranges are 
stated in much detail, and the text enlivened by decidedly popular 
notes. ‘hus we learn of Quercus Sadleriana that it is Shade toler- 
ant," that the acorns are eaten by bears, and that it is a “ Browse shrub, 
the foliage greedily favored by mules.” Collectors, type localities, 
altitudinal ranges, and numbered specimens in well known exsiccatae 
are cited in commendable detail. The introduction of complete keys 
and a careful attention to contrasting typography give lucidity not- 
withstanding the amount of matter presented. ‘The illustrations are 
of two kinds. The line-drawings are of exceptional clearness, espe- 
cially noteworthy in such structures as cones and acorns. ‘The half- 
tone plates are of decidedly less botanical value. Notable is the serious 
attempt which the author has evidently made to distinguish plants of 
unlike taxonomic importance. He is not afraid of the varietal rank 
and has used it freely. By this means he has strengthened his specific 
category and is able to show many of the more intimate relationships. 
Long life to the author! He will need it before he gets through with 
his task. 
Mr. Clute’s Laboratory Botany? outlines a high school course, which 
seems to have a great deal in its favor. It is brief, and neither as to 
subject matter nor required apparatus is it likely to be beyond the pow- 
ers of the teachers or pupils for which it is designed. Without ex- 
cluding the use of the microscope and reagents, it is devoted specially to 
gross morphology. In this matter, and in a wholesome way, it is a trifle 
reactionary. The author does not shun technical descriptive terms 
and even introduces a few brief definitions. It is confidently believed 
that pupils inducted into botany by the aid of this brief course will be 
able on reaching the college or university not merely to tell something 
of gametes and plasmolysis but to astonish their professors by an 
ability to distinguish between a petiole and a peduncle, or possibly 
even to tell an achene from a seed — B. L. R. 
1A Flora of California, by Willis Linn Jepson, Assistant Professor of Dendrology 
in the University of California. Pt. 1, pp. 33-64, pt. 2, pp. 337-368. 8vo.  Cun- 
ningham, Curtiss & Welch, San Francisco. 
? Laboratory Botany for the High School, by Willard N, Clute. 8vo. 177 pages. 
Ginn. & Company. 
Vol. 12, no. 134, including pages 17 to 40, was issued 9 February, 1910. 
