IT2 THE PLANT WORLD. 



cosmopolitan, Cystopteris fragilis. Given a natural environment of 

 rock and soil and the Pellaea proves itself an ideal house-fern. Verna- 

 tion is much more rapid in-doors than out, and the "doing up" or 

 " undoing" of the fronds extremely unique. The first season of this 

 experiment the platter was frequently turned to give all sides a chance 

 at the stronger light; but revolving cliffs are not in the natural order 

 of things, and warped and twisted stipes quickly resulted. The 

 Pellaea was most susceptible of all ; but, undisturbed, the fronds grew 

 straight and handsome. This year the Wall-Rue is particularly fine; 

 old fronds have withered and a dozen new ones can be counted on a 

 single plant. It is really marvelous that these two ferns, subject to 

 the bleakest kind of climatic exposure, should grow so well out of 

 season, not ten feet from a coal fire and subject to direct rays of the 

 sun from a southern bay-window, although some three feet from the 

 glass. — G. A. Woolson^ Pittsford Mills, Vt. 



. . . won REVIEW S . . . 



First Lessons With Plants. Being an abridgement of "Lessons 

 With Plants: Suggestions for Seeing and Interpreting Some of 

 the Common Forms of Vegetation." By L. H. Bailey; 8 vo., pp. 

 117. The MacMillan Co., 40c. 



Whatever Professor Bailey writes is certain to be good, and the 

 present little work is an admirable proof of this fact. These simple 

 lessons, he says in the preface, are designed to awaken an interest in 

 plants and in nature rather than to teach botany. They are sugges- 

 tions to the teacher who desires to introduce nature-study into the 

 school, and as such they must prove of the greatest value. The first 

 lesson is on twigs and buds, and suggestions are made regarding the 

 study of buds and branches, leaf and flower buds, the opening of buds 

 of various types and the struggle for light and air that is constantly 

 going on in the tree-trop. One thing leads on naturally to another, 

 and the child becomes an investigator without knowing it, soon learn- 

 ing to compare and interpret the buds, their arrangement and products 

 of various trees and shrubs. The apple is made frequent use of, and 

 thus the rudiments of horticulture are founded. In similar manner 

 leaves and flowers are taken up and the important types described or, 

 rather, worked out. The final chapters mention briefly the propoga- 

 tion and habits of plants and directions for collecting and preserving 

 plants properly. The illustrations are profuse, all new and freshly 

 drawn, and add much to the completeness of the book. Altogether it 

 is a work that should be in the hands of all teachers in the grades for 

 which it is intended. The type and printing are exceptionally good. — 

 F. H. K. 



