1460 Journal of Applied Microscopy 



CURRENT BOTANICAL LITERATURE. 



Charles J. Chamberlain. 



Books for review and separates of papers on botanical subjects should be sent to 



Charles J. Chamberlain, University of Chicago, 



Chicago, 111. 



REVIEWS. 



Wettstein Dr. R. von. Handbuch der Syste- ^j^is volume deals with those plants 



matischen Botanik. I : v. + 201. Figs. _ ^ 



762, in 1 28 plates. Franz Deuticke, Leip-. which are usually termed Thallo- 



zig. Germany, iqoi. 7 marks. phytes. A second volume, which will 



be ready some time within the next year, will treat the Bryophytes, Pterido- 

 phytes and Spermatophytes, which the author will describe under the term, Cor- 

 mophytes. It is the purpose of the book to give a comprehensive view of plant 

 forms with particular reference to development and phylogeny. This purpose is 

 accomplished by a full presentation of the larger divisions and by giving the de- 

 velopmental history of a large number of the more important types. 



The book is intended for those who would know systematic botany from the 

 phylogenetic standpoint, but it will also be very helpful to those who need such 

 a taxonomic background for morphological and^ citological work. While the 

 author is indebted toother taxonomic works, and especially to Engler and Prantl's 

 Z)ie Natiirlichen Pfl anzetifamilien , the work is by no means a compilation. A 

 chapter on the history of taxonomy gives a brief summary of the systems of Jus- 

 sieu, A. P. DeCandolle, Endlicher, Brogniart, A. Braun, Eichler, and Engler. 



In a phylogenetic classification many things must be considered and it is not 

 always easy to decide whether a plant is high or low in any particular respect. 

 In general, the lines of advance are the same as those given in Die Ahxtiirlichen 

 PjJanze7ifatnilie?i. The possibility of a polyphyletic origin must be admitted be- 

 cause it is known that similar life conditions tend to produce similar morphologi- 

 cal structures. The fossil record shows that Angiosperms are more recent than 

 Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes, and that Pteridophytes are older than Gym- 

 nosperms, but the record is too fragmentary to be of much importance in deter- 

 mining the relative positions of smaller divisions. Comparative morphology 

 must be the principal basis for classification. The evidence of geographical dis- 

 tribution, of rudimentary organs, monstrous forms, juvenile forms and anatomi- 

 cal details must be weighed, and it must be remembered the ontogeny of a form 

 may give useful hints as to its phylogeny. 



The first forty-five pages are occupied by a discussion of the principles of 

 classification ; the rest of the book is devoted to plants which are usually desig- 

 nated as Thallophytes. These comprise six genetic lines (Stammen) between 

 which it is not possible at present to demonstrate relationships, although such 

 may exist. The lines are Myxophyta^ Schizophyta, Zygophyfa, Euthallophyta^ 

 Phceophyta and Rhodophyta. The term " Algai " is usually applied to the inde- 

 pendent members of these groups, and "Fungi " to the parasitic and saprophytic 

 forms. Each group with its orders and families is clearly characterized and the 



