NOTES OX BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS 1 13 



Biology and its Makers. By William A. Locy. New York, Holt, 1908. 

 Pp. 479, 123 tigs. 



A very readable account of biological history, tracing tirst the sources 

 of the great ideas and, second, giving special attention to the doctrine of 

 organic evolution. Especially interesting are the biographical notes on 

 great men of science. The illustrations are chiefly from portraits. All 

 students and teachers of biology will find this a valuable book for reading 

 and reference. M. A. B. 



Fish Stories. By C. F. Holder and David Starr Jordan. New York: 

 Holt. 1909. Pp. 336, illustrated. $1.75. 



These fish stories are "alleged and experienced with a little natural and 

 unnatural history" thrown in for good measure. Like other authors of 

 similar literature, the authors have no apologies or affidavits to otTer; and 

 those who want to know which author tells the best fish story are advised 

 to apply the well-known rules of the Higher Criticism. Space will not per- 

 mit suitable extracts from these masterpieces of nature-faking; but un- 

 wary seekers after nature-study books for schools should be hereby warned 

 that this book has the same relation to nature-study that the "Arabian 

 Xights" have to history. In other words, it is not a satisfactory reference 

 book for use in preparing lessons on fishes; better refer to President 

 Jordan's other books which come at a higher price. But do not forget to 

 take a copv of fish stories when next you go a-fishing. 



M. A. B. 



Essentials of Botany. By J. Y. Bergen. Boston: Ginn. 1909. 



This is somewhat fuller than the deservedly popular "Elements of 

 Botany" by the same author, and seems better adapted to a year's course 

 in high schools, especially in early years, for which the author's "Founda- 

 tions of Botany" is not well adapted. The first twenty-one chapters are 

 practically the same as in the "Elements." The chapters on cryptogamic 

 plants have been extended, and new chapters present plant breeding, 

 useful plants, and forestry. The most elementarv ecology is included; 

 and more attention to this subject would be of doubtful value in most 

 high schools. The book will be welcomed by many who have looked upon 

 the author's "Foundations" and "Principles" as too closely imitating the 

 pure science work in college botany. 



M. A. B. 



Gray's New Manual of Botany. By Benjamin L. Robison and Merritt 

 L. Fernald, New York: American Book Co. 1908. $2. 50. 



This seventh edition of Asa Gray's famous manual has been brought to 

 date and into accord with modern views of classification. So completely 

 has it been revised that, at least in parts, the reader scarcely recoginzes 

 resemblance to the sixth (1890) edition. In fact, .several critics insist 

 that it is Robison and Fernald's manual, not Gray's. 



However, these are matters of historical rather than of practical im- 

 portance; and suffice it to say that competent botanists praise this new 

 manual as a valuable work. It will undoubtedly win great popularity; 

 but perhaps not so great as did the sixth edition, for the honors must now 



