Books and Current Literature. 47 



cieties on the thin soil of the mountain zone form interesting 

 floral groups. 



To give an adequate synopsis of the botanical facts pre- 

 sented in this work would exceed the space appropriate for a 

 reviewer. Close study of this region for a number of years has 

 given a greater wealth of observations, accurately recorded, than 

 is likely to appear again in the immediate future. The prob- 

 lems of association and distribution are chiefly treated from the 

 standpoint of the physiographic ecologist, with due weight to 

 the importance of the factors introduced by the cultivation of a 

 large proportion of the country for upwards of 250 years. 



Readers familiar with botanico-agricultural subjects may 

 be disappointed with the section of the work dealing with the 

 Relation of Natural Vegetation to Crop Possibilities, at least if 

 very much was expected in the way of specific statements. This 

 is a subject upon which it is all too easy to make over-specific 

 statements, especially if one will allow himself to give credence 

 to the ready remarks of the Oldest Inhabitant type of agri- 

 culturist. The more study one gives to this subject, the more 

 probable will be the energetic use of the blue pencil upon his 

 written statements. The following sentences (p. 363) illustrate 

 the point. "The only sound conclusions that may be drawn 

 from the natural plant life of an area as to its agricultural capa- 

 bilities are very general ones." "That crop recommendations 

 can be profitably made on the basis of the occurrence of a single 

 tree species is doubtful for all but a few cases * * -t and 

 these cases may not hold good in other parts of the natural 

 ranges of these trees." 



The work closes with a check-list of 1400 species of Pterido- 

 phytes and Spermatophytes collected or observed in the state. 



It is to be regretted that such an extensive study does not 

 contain more data upon the physical environment of the plants 

 of different provinces. Records of the rate of atmospheric 

 evaporation and of water-holding power of the soil would no 

 doubt be keenly appreciated by the critical student and would 

 certainly enhance the scientific value of a noteworthy piece of 

 work. 



The paper is well indexed and illustrated by numerous 

 excellent half-tones, although good maps are scarce and dispro- 

 portionately small. A careful reading of the work will repay 



