LESSONS IN ELEMENTARY BOTANY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 189 



student of natural science is that descriptive of the motile stages of 

 these organisms, and to the general biologist the observatious on 

 the phenomena accompanying karyokiuesis. But the exigencies of 

 space prevent a fuller reference to these subjects, and the nominal 

 price of the Guide places it within the reach of all. Suffice it to 

 say that, taking the work as a whole, it stands as a monument of 

 careful and original research, and marks an important stage m the 

 advance of our knowledge of the Mycetozoa. The Trustees of the 

 British Museum are to be thanked lor having produced so desirable 

 a book at so trifling a cost : specimens of the illustrations accompany 

 this notice. 



J. S. 



Lessons in Elementary Botany for Secondary Schools. By Thomas 

 H. Macbride. Boston : Allyn & Bacon. 1896. 8vo, pp. xi, 

 233. Price 60 cents. 



This little book is essentially practical. " We have before us," 

 says the author in his preface, "the spectacle of a great nation, 

 absolutely ignorant of the principles of forestry. If the schools 

 can so shape botanical instruction as to make it practical in the 

 direction of a better appreciation of the value of a tree, they may in 

 so doing advance not the cause of science only, but of humanity." 

 This statement comes as an apology for begiuniug with the trees, 

 a convenient arrangement as regards supply of specimens, since in 

 most American high schools Botany is studied in the last half-year, 

 beginning about Feb. 1st. The teacher who has conscientiously 

 led his class through the fifty-four lessons laid down here will have 

 the satisfaction of feeling that he has done a great deal towards 

 training their observing powers, and inculcating a love of nature in 

 the boys and girls placed under his care, and something towards 

 checking the pitiful indifference to the value of their forests, to 

 which the author has referred. It is cheering to read such directions 

 as " Let the pupils go to the field and examine all accessible woody 

 stems, to prepare a report, noting," &c. The first fifteen lessons 

 are occupied with the vegetative organs, four with the flower, 

 fruit, and seed, the rest with lessons on common plants, chiefly 

 trees. There are a few lessons at the end on Ferns, Mosses, 

 Hepatics, and Fungi, but the aim throughout is to provide for 

 practical work which cau be done entirely with the aid of the 

 specimens, a sharp knife, and a good lens. 



We notice a few instances of loose expression which might have 

 been avoided. The terms endogens and exogens are unnecessary, 

 and the bast is unfortunately described as inner bark (p. 11); while 

 on p. 20 we are consistently told that the cambium makes bark 

 outside and wood inside. If the teacher will note and correct these 

 points, we can warmly recommend Mr. Macbride's Lessons, which 

 in handy form and clear legible production leave nothing to be 

 desired. 



A. B. E. 



