96 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



eties. In discussing the physiological aspect it was pointed out 

 that many changes in form can now be produced by variations 

 in the food, or by chemical and other means and it appears 

 quite possible that many forms whose origin we do not know, 

 may have been produced by such means. Emphasis was laid 

 on the fact that many of these elementary species may be culti- 

 vated and their differences studied and proved experimentally. 

 The ecologists pointed out that the forms of plants are largely 

 due to their surroundings, and that a species cannot be rightly 

 estimated in the herbarium, but must be studied afield. Dr. 

 Cowles called attention to the fact that if we call all these 

 small forms, species, we have got so far away from the Lin- 

 naean conception of species that it is unfair to longer date 

 the beginning of our nomenclature from 1753. In conclusion, 

 if the expressions of these gentlemen fairly represent present 

 day opinions in regard to taxonomy, the pendulum has begun 

 to swing away from species-splitting to a broader conception 

 of species. Conservative botanists, among whom the editor 

 of this magazine desires to be numbered, may therefore be con- 

 gratulated upon this rather complete though tardy justifica- 

 tion of the opinions they have so steadfastly held, and look 

 forward to a period of stability as regards species while 

 varieties and forms increase apace. 



^ * « 



The receipt of a copy of the second edition of Dr. W. \V. 

 Bailey's "Botanizing" is a pleasant reminder that the good old 

 practice of botanizing has not quite gone out of fashion. Some 

 years have elapsed since the first edition appeared but the con- 

 tinued demand for the book made a new issue necessary. This 

 is apparently printed from the same plates as the first edition, 

 and thus is not quite up to date in a few minor particulars, 

 but it is the only book of its kind and is no doubt destined to 

 have the long season of popularity that its excellence deserves. 



