REVIEWS. 255 



logue, giving names of species represented, magnification, 

 etc.), nearly two hundred pages of descriptive letterpress. In 

 these we have first a list of authors consulted, followed by a 

 few pages of preliminary remarks on the Algae, to which is added 

 instructions on " How to Find, How to Collect, and How to Pre- 

 serve Fresh- Water Algse." The author next confines his attention 

 to the Desmid group, describing their methods of multiplication — 

 ist, by cell-division and growth ; 2nd, by sexual intervention or 

 regeneration. The major portion of the letterpress is, of course, 

 taken up with a full and careful description of all the genera and 

 species represented. This is followed by an index to some 500 or 

 more species. 



Although the work is believed to be exhaustive of all now 

 known concerning the Desmids of the United States, yet the 

 author regards it only as the pioneer to others much larger, and 

 therefore more valuable, wherein will be recorded the achieve- 

 ments of those who will, perhaps, be indebted to this work for 

 their first introduction to so fascinating a study as that of the 

 fresh-water Algce. 



The whole work is beautifully printed on good paper, royal 8vo 

 size. The plates also are well drawn and coloured. It is unques- 

 tionably the best work of the kind we have seen. 



The Student's Guide to Systematic Botany, including the 

 Classification of Plants and Descriptive Botany. By Robert 

 Bentley, F.L.S., M.R.C.S.Eng. {London : J. and A. ChurcJiill. 

 1884.) 



This little work, we learn by the preface, is intended to form a 

 supplement to " The Student's Guide to Structural, Morphological, 

 and Physiological Botany," which was published by the same 

 author a year ago, and being well adapted for carrying in the coat- 

 pocket will form a very agreeable travelling companion to the 

 botanical student. 



The first and by far the greater portion of the work (137 pp.) 

 is taken up with the Classification of Plants, in which is considered 

 first the General Principles of Classification ; second, the various 

 Systems of Classification ; and third, the Arrangement and Cha- 

 racters of the Natural Orders. The remaining portion of the book 

 is devoted to Descriptive Botany. Here we have two chapters, 

 the first of which gives Directions for Describing Plants, embrac- 

 ing the Means for Observing them and General Rules for their 

 Examination ; and next. Instructions for the Examination of the 

 Special Organs and Parts of Plants, with a List of the Abbrevia- 

 tions and Symbols used in botanical works. The second chapter 



