164 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 



patient seeker. Let us take as examples the discussion on Plasticity, 

 with numerous instances, nutably that of the *' crimson rambler " of 

 which " when an inflorescence (corymb) is evolved before the buds 

 have reached their full size, the flowers of this branch, when exj^anded, 

 are quite healthy but white : the crimson rambler is, as it were, 

 transformed into a white rambler " : and again, the discussion on the 

 interesting topic of "convergence." As the writer points out, the 

 facts which we try to explain by the theory of " convergent adapta- 

 tion" require two sets of assumptions in accordance with our acceptance 

 of the neo- Darwinian or neo-Lamarckian standpoint ; that all these 

 hypotheses require verification, and until such is forthcoming, " the 

 term convergent adaptation is a delusive screen behind which we 

 conceal the problems which ought to he solved " (author's italics). 

 None of the hypotheses yet brought forward explain the similarity 

 between the fore-legs of Talpa and Gryllotalpa, nor the resemblance 

 between the fruits of certain Myxomycetes and certain G-astero- 

 m3^cetes. 



We mention these two discussions with the object of sending 

 philosophically minded botanists to the pages of the book itself. 



B. C. A. W. 



Botany : a Texthooh for Seiiior Students. By D. Thodat, M.A. 

 Second edition. 8vo. Pp. xix, 524, tt. 230. Cambridge Uni- 

 versity Press, 1919. Price 7s. Qd. 



It is not surprising that a new edition of Mr. Thoday's textbook 

 has been called for within four years of the publication of the original 

 work. The book was intended primarily for use in connexion with 

 preparation for the Senior Cambridge Local Examinations, and special 

 attention has been given to a clear exposition of certain matters which 

 experience as an examiner had convinced the author were widely mis- 

 conceived or imperfectly grasped. But the book should appeal to a 

 wider circle than is embraced b}'' the candidates for a particular ex- 

 amination. It forms a well- written and well-arranged introduction 

 to the study of botany, and a student who, under a capable teacher, 

 has worked through the matter of its chapters will have a good 

 ground- work in the science. 



After a short introductory chapter on the general conformation of 

 a plant, the student is led through a series of experiments (forming 

 the chapters of Section I.) in which the plant is demonstrated as a 

 living organism, feeding, breathing, and growing ; Section II. deals 

 with internal structure in reference to the life-processes which have 

 already been described ; Section III., " Ileproduction," describes the 

 flower, its pollination, production of fruit and seed, the dispersal of 

 the seed, its germination, and the growth of the seedling. In Sec- 

 tion IV., " The Classification of Plants." the species, genus, and family 

 are explained and the principles of classification illustrated by a study 

 of members of the llanunculaceae ; and the types of flower and fruit 

 are further studied in a selection of common British families. Sec- 

 tion V. '* Plants in relation to their Environment," begins with a 

 chapter on " fitness," or adaptation, and successive chaj^ters deal with 



