1898] 273 



SOME NEW BOOKS 



Fossil Plants for Students of Botany and Geology. By A. C. Seward, M.A., 

 F.G.S. (Cambridge Natural Science Manuals.) P|>. i-xviii + 1-452. With frontis- 

 piece and 111 ligures. Cambridge: University Press, 1898. Price 12s. 



No better indication could be given of the increased interest in the 

 study of fossil plants than that afforded by the publication during the 

 last few } r ears of several text-books specially dealing with this branch 

 of Natural History. At last it seems to be recognised that the student 

 of recent botany must possess some knowledge of fossil botany to 

 enable him to have a comprehensive view of his subject and equally, 

 if not even more important is it, tor the palaeobotanist to be thoroughly 

 conversant with recent botany and especially with those groups which 

 are more closely connected with those occurring in the fossil state. 

 It is only when Fossil Botany has been so studied that any real advance 

 can be made, and the present work admirably brings before us in a 

 clear and lucid manner, the results which have been attained within 

 the last few years from the study of fossil botany on these lines. I 

 am certainly not one to declaim against the older workers who 

 laboured under disadvantages which the modern student can scarcely 

 appreciate, and who by patient work laid the foundation on which all 

 workers must build, but by modern methods of research unknown to 

 them, fossil botany now holds an important position in biological 

 science, to which it has only attained within the last few years. 



( )nly the first volume of Mr Seward's work has appeared. It 

 begins with the lowest forms known as fossils and ends with the 

 Sphenophyllales. Part I., consisting of six chapters, deals with 

 matters connected generally with the study of fossil plants, while 

 Part II., comprising chapters vii.-xi., treats of the systematic portion 

 of the subject. 



Chapter i. gives a short historical sketch, while chapter ii. 

 deals with the delation of Palaeobotany to Botany and Geology. A 

 short but very concise geological history is given in chapter iii., which 

 is quite suhMcient to show the succession and chief characteristics of 

 the various " Formations." Chapter iv., which describes various 

 modes of Preservation of Plants as Fossils, we consider one of the 

 most important parts in the work. It is only after much practical 

 experience in collecting and examining fossils, that one learns 

 how much to allow for differences in appearance, even in the same 

 species, which are entirely due to different modes of fossilization. 



Chapter v. on the "Difficulties and Sources of Error in the 

 Determination of Fossil Plants " is also admirably written ami must 

 be carefully read by all students. It illustrates the utter absurdity 

 of classification based on external similarities of appearance or form. 

 I may quote one sentence which shows a good use such errors may 

 serve in the future. " It would serve no useful purpose, and I would 

 occupy no inconsiderable space to refer at length to the numerous 

 mistakes which have been committed by experienced writers on the 



