10. NEWS AND NOTES. 



pictures, and adds that it was one of those contagious insani- 

 ties to which all communities are at times subject. In his 

 critical essay on this book Macauley questions whether it be 

 a greater proof of insanity in men to set a high value on rare 

 tulips than to set the same value on rare stones, which are 

 neither more useful nor more beautiful. — I. A. Glasse. 



Introduction to Botany, by W. C. Stevens, published by 

 D. C. Heath and Co. — The multiplicity of elementary text- 

 books in scientific subjects does not necessarily represent any 

 marked progress of the science, new ideas, or successful meth- 

 ods in presenting the subject. When the book is by a scien- 

 tist of repute one looks mostly for two things, first, the 

 material, i. e., the topics selected for presentation, for an ele- 

 mentary text, or even a text of any kind such a small part of 

 the whole subject can be presented, and, second, the manner 

 of presentation. In the book before us the style is clear and 

 concise, and quite readable. The book is a mixture of labora- 

 tory manual and descriptive text, though it is sometimes 

 difficult to determine whether the directions are for student 

 or teacher. A good discussion of the topic usually follows 

 the laboratory directions, though it is to be observed that 

 these directions decrease as the book progresses until finally 

 they are omitted entirely. The book savors strongly of 

 ecology and is strikingly lacking in both morphology and 

 physiology, particularly the former. On the whole the 

 author deals with the higher plants, and with the parts of 

 them that are most familiar. Seeds and seedlings, structure 

 and function of roots, stems and leaves, growth and move- 

 ments, modified parts, dispersal of fruits and seeds, adapta- 

 tion to environment, plants of different regions, are the main 

 topics of discussion. A very brief survey of the fungi and 

 algae, mosses (omitting entirely any mention of liverworts) 

 and ferns is taken, and an extensive study of the flower is 

 presented. — W. B. M. 



