Floristik, Geographie, Systematik etc. 281 



distribution of every North American forest tree, especially north 

 of Mexico. One page is give to an introduction, while 36 maps 

 are devoted to the distribution of 36 speoies of the genus Pinus. 

 These maps with specific areas in green are reproduced from similar 

 maps in the files of the forest service, preserved in large port-folios. 

 Their reproduction will secure their preservation from fire danger. 



Harshberger. 



Takeda, H., The Vegetation of Japan. (New Phytologist. XII. 

 p. 37—59. 1913.) 



Geograph}'^ and climate are shown to play an important part in 

 an island area extending over 30 degrees of latitude. The infiuence of 

 cold and warm oceanic currents is seen in the distribution of Algae 

 and the Strand Vegetation. The mountainous islands with a close 

 network of rapid rivers and numerous lakes is also favourable to 

 great variety in the Vegetation. The summer monsoon brings to 

 most parts a high rainfall and humidit3^ whereas the winter is 

 relatively dry, The characteristics of the flora are numerous species, 

 a large proportion of endemic species, a high proportion of woody 

 plants, and the north ward extension of tropical and sub-tropical 

 elements. The origin and history of the flora from the tertiär}' 

 period, as briefly sketched, presents many points of great interest. 

 The regions of Vegetation, northern, middle, and southern, are 

 based mainlj'^ on climatic conditions. The plant formations for each 

 region are briefly outlined, many characteristic species being inclu- 

 ded. Other sections deal with cultivated crops, introduced and gar- 

 den plants, and the various European coUectors who have visited 

 Japan. W. G. Smith. 



Tansley, A. G., A Universal Classification of Plant-com- 

 munities. (Journ. Ecology. I. 1. p. 27—42. 1913.) 



A detailed review of Brockmann-Jerosch and Rubel („Die 

 Einteilung der Pflanzengesellschaften nach ökologisch-physiognomi- 

 schen Gesichtspunkten". 1912), with a somewhat searching criticism 

 on the validity of physiognomy as a basis for any natural Classifi- 

 cation. The author's position may be briefly indicated by the fol- 

 lowing extracts: „Habitat, however determined, must be definitely 

 recognised as the basis of any natural Classification of Vegetation, 

 because habitat is the basis of all vegetational resemblances and 

 differences." "All reflections of habitat in Vegetation, whether thej' 

 be in physiognomy, structure, or particular collocations of species. 

 must be taken into consideration." "A short and easy road to na- 

 tural Classification of Vegetation units can no more be found than 

 a Short and easy road to a natural Classification of species." 



W. G. Smith. 



Trelease, W., Agave in the West Indies. (Nat. Acad Sei. 

 Washington. Memoir. XI. p. 1—299. Fig. 1—7. PI. A— D and 1 — 116. 

 May 15, 1913.) 



In all 50 species are recognized and 40 of them are new to 

 science. The newly-described species are as follows: 



Agave vicina, Cociii, petiolata, evadetis, Boldinghiana , Van Grolae, 

 nevidis, nioniserrateiisis, medioxima, grenadina, Scheuernianiana , 

 ohducta, Trankeeva , Dussiana, caribaeicola , Eggersiana , harhadensis , 

 unguictilata, ventinn-verstim, Hnrrtsii, acicularis, grisea, Shaferi, 



