104 The Pi.amt World. 



action of the external conditions, we eventually get a race which 

 is better adapted to the local conditions than the one from which 

 we started." 



This statement embodies the baldest lyamarckianism, which 

 has absolutely nothing to support it in the way of actual exper- 

 ience. Furthermore, a brief acquaintance wdth the activities 

 of workers in evolutionary science, particularly among botanists, 

 would show Professor Bancroft that the problems of the relation 

 of qualities of organisms and external conditions occupy the 

 foremost place in the amount of attention received at the present 

 time — ^with some definite results available. 



Professor Bancroft's reckless scissoring from various publi- 

 cations, with no attempt to weigh their relative value, does not 

 strengthen the treatment given the subject. Chemistry does 

 not aid natural historv by the criticism of outworn generaliza« 

 tions and discarded results of biological science. 



In all the numbers of Torreya for 1910, possibly the most 

 valuable series of articles are those by Professor W. F. Ganong 

 on "Botanical Education in America." which is none the less 

 helpful because of the previous presentation of its essentials 

 elsewhere. One can not help being glad that the author has given 

 himself so unreservedly to the great work of botanical education, 

 and that his thought has been presented with such clearness, 

 force and consistency. Those who are engaged in teaching bot- 

 any — and upon them depends in a large measure the fature of 

 American botany — will hardly be able to find, in our own or in 

 foreign literature, any more perfect examples of scientific 

 exactness combined with a true philosophical spirit than are 

 found in the pedagogical writings of Professor Ganong. 



The American Fern Journal for January, 1911, (Volume 1, 

 No. 3) has been received and gives promise of filling a useful 

 place in botanical hterature. Subscriptions ($1.00) including 

 membership in the American Fern Society for one year, should 

 be sent to Mr. H. G. Rugg, Hanover, N. H. 



