160 THE PLANT WORLD. 



Our Native Ferns ajjd their Allies, Sixth edition. By Lucien 

 Marcus Underwood. Henry Holt & Co. New York. 1900. 



Opinion upon the sixth edition of Dr. Underwood's compact 

 synopsis of our American ferns will undoubtedly be more or less di- 

 vided according to the point of view taken by the reader on the ques- 

 tion of nomenclature, for it is chiefly in this particular that this book 

 which for the past twenty years has occupied an authoritative place in 

 the literature of our native species, differs from previous editions. 

 The goodly number of innovations in systematic classification, while 

 bound to meet with disapproval from perhaps a majority of amateur 

 students, will nevertheless be regarded by those who have come to be- 

 lieve in the feasibility of an approximate stability in nomenclature as 

 a distinct advance. Unfortunately, but as is inevitable in a work of 

 this popular nature, the reasons for many of the changes incorporated 

 are not discussed, but are nevertheless evident to those who are en- 

 gaged in active botanical study and familiar with the recent work of 

 the author. 



As to the actual changes involved: the recognition of several of 

 the genera usually regarded as sections of the genus Pohjpodiuin is en- 

 tirely logical, the unfortunate feature being that the segregation here 

 begun stops necessarily with our native species. Likewise the restora- 

 tion of the genus CheirogJossa for the Linnaean 02)hiO(jJossum ^j>«Z/'««- 

 turii, the revival of PohjstlcJmiii, and the insertion of Pterldium for 

 Pterh in part, need no defence. It is rather in the substitution of old 

 generic names for the well established ones, such as Gymnopteris for 

 Gymnogramme^ Struthiojpterls for Lorn aria, and the like, that many 

 will be disposed to object; and it is indeed singularly fortunate even 

 for those who desire to keep abreast with current ideas, that the 

 generic names thus replaced happen to be associated with so few 

 species. If temporary confusion arise it is but the penalty of past 

 lawlessness, and is at best of short duration. In very many cases 

 the ranges of species might have been considerably extended, and there 

 is often noticed a singular lack of uniformity of spelling of authors' 

 abbreviated names in citation; but these features will not serve to de- 

 tract greatly from a work which finally places the study of our species 

 on a secure basis. — W. R. M. 



