THE ELEMENTS OF BOTANY. 221 



corrected the description of the male prothallium of the Gymno- 

 sperm, in which the vegetative cell is made to represent the anthe- 

 ridium. But the most useful part is the account of the Angio- 

 sperms, occupying the second half of the book. The classification 

 is very different from that found in English text-books, based on 

 Bentham and Hooker's system as worked out in their classical 

 Genera Phoitarion. It purports to be a more natural arrangement, 

 tracing as far as possible in each group the advance from the 

 simpler to the more complex and derived forms. As such it has 

 considerable interest, and is eminently suggestive. Among other 

 things it shows how unsatisfactory in our present state of know- 

 ledge are all such attempts. Affinities are occasionally somewhat 

 forced, as, for instance, when Juncacene are placed far away from 

 Liliaceffi, and included in Glumiferse with Cyperaceae and Graminefe. 

 An important feature in the accounts of the various natural orders 

 is the insertion of notes on pollination and theories of floral sym- 

 metry. The editor's appendix, in the shape of a sketch of the 

 history of plant classification, will also be useful. 



As regards the translation we cannot judge of its accuracy, but 

 Mr. Potter's English sometimes leaves a little to be desired. 

 Slovenly sentences are frequent ; there is a too liberal use of the 

 definite article, and the objectionable " and which " is not absent. 

 Italics are too largely employed, and are sometimes meaningless, as 

 on page 284, " the leaves (in grasses) are often arranged in three 

 rows." Bad spelling crops up repeatedly. Chlorophyll is some- 

 times rendered chlorophyl ; and we find cyanophyll, but pyrrophyl 

 and melinophyl. On page 281 leaves are said to be "radicle," and 

 in the succeeding line we read " the lamina have." Gynjeceum, 

 gynoecium, and gynoeceum, are all used; the last seems the favourite 

 form. It was a little unkind in those gentlemen to whom the 

 translator records his obhgations for revising the proofs, not to 

 have corrected, or drawn attention to, such very obvious mistakes. 



A. B. E. 



The Elements of Botany. By Francis Darwin, M.A., F.R.S. 

 8vo, pp. 235, with 94 figs. University Press, Cambridge. 

 1895. Price Gs. 



In the March number of this Journal we noticed a practical 

 handbook on plant-physiology, of which Mr. Darwin was joint 

 author. The little volume now to hand is another of the same 

 series of natural science manuals in course of issue under the 

 general editorship of Mr. A. E. Shipley. The fourteen chapters 

 into which it is divided give the substance of as many lectures, 

 which form the botanical portion of the Cambridge course in 

 Elementary Biology ; while an appendix supplies the detail of 

 the accompanying practical work. But the book will command 

 a wider use than preparation for the first M.B. examination ; 

 and teachers outside the University will welcome so admirable, 

 trustworthy, and scientific an introduction to the study of Botany. 

 Unfortunately its exorbitant price will seriously limit its usefulness. 

 There are several new figures, but they are not elaborate, nor is 



