*f2 THE PLANT WORLD. 



Then follow chapters on absorption and diffusion, absorption of 

 liquid nutriment, root pressure, transpiration, path of movement of 

 liquids in plants, respiration, the carbon food of plants, chlorophyll 

 and the formation of starch, growth, and lastly irritability. The part 

 on morphology is made clear by the selection of certain types of struc- 

 ture such as Spirogyra, Oidogonium, Vaucheria, Moulds, Mildews, 

 Rusts; thence to the Liverworts, Mosses, Ferns and Horsetails and the 

 higher plants. Asanother reviewer has said, "these chapters are more 

 than a bare enumeration of labratory processes; more than a story 

 about the plants and their life histories. They are a breathing, vital 

 presentation of the principal matters of interest, structural, develop- 

 mental and adaptational, which the young student should know and 

 should remember." 



The chapters on ecology, this newer phase of botany, are equally 

 interesting and instructive. It is qiiite impossible to give an adequate 

 idea of this part within the limits of the present review, but some of 

 the chapter headings are indicative of their trend: Seed distribu- 

 tion, struggle for occupation of land, zonal distribution of plants, 

 plant communities, adaption of plants to climate, etc. 



The book is well-printed and is profusely illustrated, there be- 

 ing no less than 509 illustrations, almost all of which have been made 

 expressly for this work, and are a pleasing relief from the time- 

 honored figures that have seen service in so many text-books. Those 

 illustrating ecology are especially effective. Only one thing we 

 would wish to see changed in this book and that is the printing of the 

 generic and family names of plants with a lower case initial. There 

 would seem to be no valid reason for writing ranunculaceae, podophyl- 

 lum, blasia, sanguinaria, etc. — F. H. K. 



Seed Travelers. Studies of the Methods of Dispersal of Various 

 Common Seeds By Clarence M. Weed. Boston: Ginn & Co.; 

 1898. 



This interesting and instructive little book has been prepared as 

 a supplementary reader, to be used in interesting young pupils in nat- 

 ure studies, and in the right hands it cannot fail to do so. It is di- 

 vided conveniently into three parts, dealing with the wind as a dis- 

 tributor, the dissemination of seeds by birds and dispersal by means 

 of spines and hooks. These studies may of course ibe pursued to ad- 

 vantage at any season of the year, but there is an especial wealth of 

 material during the months of fall and winter, as one can scarcely 

 step out of doors without witnessing some phase of plant dispersal. 

 The book is copiously illustrated and is accurate as to the statement 

 of facts. We could wish to see more books prepared along similar 

 lines, for use in our schools. — F. H. K. 



