2o8 THE PLANT WORLD. 



on among plants are subjects for other chapters. Nutrition, or the 

 manner in which the food supply is obtained and utilized, is set forth, 

 but perhaps the larger portion of the book is devoted to the ecological 

 factors, or the relations of plants to each other and to their environ- 

 ment. The various groups or plant-societies are described briefly but 

 interestingly. 



The book is illustrated throughout by very satisfactory half-tones, 

 and the typography is above reproach. Altogether it is a book that, 

 in the hands of competent teachers (and, as the author says, it will 

 be practically worthless unless it is), will accomplish much good. 



—F. H. K. 



How TO Know the Ferns — A Guide to the Names, Haunts and 

 Habits of Our Common Ferns. By Frances Theodora Parsons. 

 New York. Charles Scribner's Sons. $1.50. 



The present book forms a handsome companion volume to the 

 author's "How to Know the Wild Flowers," which appeared a few 

 years ago, and which has undoubtedly done more than any recent 

 book to popularize this delightful branch of natural history. Almost 

 everyone accustomed to taking walks in field and wood is attracted 

 by the flowers and ferns, and is anxious to learn something of them, 

 but perhaps has no previous knowledge such as would be necessary 

 to make use of a technical manual of botany, or opportunity or incli- 

 nation to acquire such knowledge. These books are short cuts to 

 much delightful and valuable information concerning the flowering 

 plants and ferns about us. 



The book under consideration is conveniently divided so that its 

 use is made easy. The terms made use of in describing ferns are 

 fully explained and illustrated by simple cuts. Then follows a simple 

 key that will enable a student to place at once the fern in hand within 

 the limits of the few groups into which our ferns may be divided. 

 Each species is then introduced by a short, concise description, and is 

 fully or in part illustrated by a line drawing. Aside from the non- 

 technical description, the author always has something of interest to 

 say about each species; now an account of how the author made an 

 express journey to see some delicate little species in its home, an 

 interesting bit of folk-lore or a quotation from some well known lit- 

 erary writer. It is evident that the author not only knows and loves 

 the ferns, but has decided literary ability with which to clothe her 

 facts. The book will be a delight, not only to the trained botanist, 

 but to the thousands who will, through its pages, become acquainted 

 with this most interesting and widely distributed group of plants. 

 We predict for it, and it will undoubtedly enjoy, a wide sale. 



^F. H. K. 



