373 
physiology. This prevailing idea has already done an inestima- 
ble amount of harm to the advance of botany. No student « may 
quickly be taught the small amount of technique (of the compound 
microscope) necessary to do outline work.” It requires years of 
patient toil to learn how to use thecompound microscope. Any per- 
son can look down the tube of a compound microscope, but whether 
said person knows and comprehends what he sees, or whether he 
sees anything at all, is another question. My advice is that the 
student should lay aside the «‘ Studies in Plant Development” un- 
til he has mastered the rudiments of plant morphology and physi- 
ology by years of patient work in some well equipped laboratory 
and by consulting not only Vines but all other standard authori- 
ties on plant physiology and morphology. After this is accom- 
plished the “Studies” may be permanently stored away in the 
garret along with other similar analyses. 
As far as the make-up of the “ Studies”’ is concerned it lacks 
nothing. Binding, paper and print are excellent. There is space 
for the “study” of fifty types. A short list of modern (Vines) 
botanical terms with etymology and meaning is added. In his 
classification we are pleased to note that lichens are recognized as 
adistinct class. It may be that the “ Studies” could be made use of 
by advanced students in our universities, provided it was thought 
advisable to take the time for making the records. Of what use 
these records might be afterwards is more than we can understand 
at present because there are already printed records of all the 
known plant species. 
It is with regret that we make this adverse criticism, but we 
firmly believe that any mistaken tendency should be checked 
early. The mistaken idea of what constitutes plant study has 
already gained such a strong footing that we must put forth every 
effort to check its progress. Let us sincerely hope that pernicious 
“plant analyzing” may never be substituted for Botany in our 
higher institutions of learning. Let us hope that in the future the 
author will expend his time and talent on some work which will 
Prove a real benefit to the advance of botanical science. _ 
ALBERT SCHNEIDER. 
