REVIEWS AND CRITICISMS. 19 



one more easily infers it ; there is more constant suggestive- 

 ness to that effect. 



It is hardly necessary to observe that the present fascicle 

 will be found on the working shelf of all Western botanists 

 by the side of the former parts which have been in constant 

 service since the day of their issue ; and, moreover, succeed- 

 ing fascicles will be expectantly awaited. Nevertheless, it is a 

 large hope that the Synoptical Flora may be carried to a 

 successful conclusion within a reasonably short period. It 

 needs no learned disquisition to support the statement that 

 the space of a lifetime is too brief for one man, however 

 learned or industrious, to write a systematic treatise on the 

 phanerogamic botany of North America which shall be dis- 

 tinguished by unity of plan and consistency of treatment. 



With such considerations in mind we judge that Dr. Rob- 

 inson has done well to call to his aid specialists to assist 

 by the preparation of certain orders for the next fascicle. It 

 is, however, quite plain that the successful accomplishment 

 of this undertaking must largely arise out of a zealous devo- 

 tion to the memory of Dr. Gray. And it is just here that the 

 danger lies. For the too ardent disciple ever holds as sacred 

 the words last spoken by the master, disregarding the arrival 

 of new days or change of conditions. But we are led to be- 

 lieve from the free manner in which Dr. Robinson has in a 

 number of places modified Gray's manuscript in view of the 

 work done by recent monographers, that he has derived his 

 inspiration, not from the "expressed views" and "well-known 

 wishes" of the author, but rather from the talents and quali- 

 ties and personal characteristics that marked Asa Gray as 

 America's most uncommon scientific man. If this be so its 

 young editor is endowed with an inspiration that will not 

 wither with age and the Synoptical Flora may well go on to 

 completiou in honor of, rather than as if by him, to whom 

 was due its inception. — W. L. Jepson. 



