THE AMERICAN SCIENCE SERIES. 5 
ZOOLOGY— Continued. 
From ScIENCE :—The style is clear, and the subjecis made interest- 
ing. The student’s mind is not confused by a mass of details, or by 
unsatisfactory descriptions of a large number of specimens which he 
can never expect to see, much less examine; but the brief sketches of 
a few of the most important forms will awaken in him a desire for 
wider knowledge. The figures are numerous, averaging almost one 
to each page; yet they are so well selected that, while one grudges so 
much space, he finds few which he would omit. 
BOTANY. By CHARLES E. BESSEY, Professor in the Univer- 
sity of Nebraska. 
Advanced Course. 8vo. 611 pp. 
Aims to lead the student to obtain at first-hand his knowl- 
edge of the anatomy and physiology of plants. Accordingly, 
the presentation of matter is such as to fit the book for con- 
stant use in the laboratory, the text supplying the outline sketch 
which the student is to fill in by the aid of scalpel and micro- 
scope. 
From J. C. ArTHuR, Editor of The Botanical Gazette: ‘‘ The first 
botanical text-book issued in America which treats the most important 
departments of the science with anything like due consideration. 
This is especially true in reference to the physiology and histology of 
plants, and also to special morphology. Structural Botany and clas- 
sification have up to the present time monopolized the field, greatly 
retarding the diffusion of a more complete knowledge of the science.” 
Essentials of Botany. I2mo. 292 pp. 
A guide to beginners. Its principles are, that the true aim of 
botanical study is not so much to seek the family and proper 
names of specimens as to ascertain the laws of plant structure 
and plant life; that this can be done only by examining and 
dissecting the plants themselves; and that it is best to confine 
the attention to a few leading types, and to take up first the 
simpler and more easily understood forms, and afterwards those 
whose structure and functions are more complex. The /atest 
editions of the work contain a chapter on the Gross Anatomy 
of Flowering Plants. 
From J. T. RorHrock, Professor in the University of Pennsylva- 
nia» ‘‘ There is nothing superficial in it, nothing needless introduced, 
nothing essential left out. The language is lucid; and, as the crown- 
ing merit of the book, the author has introduced throughout the vol- 
ume ‘ Practical Studies,’ which direct the student in his effort to see 
for himself all that the text-book teaches.” 
