FOSSIL PLANTS 203 



able to students in this field, especially as some of the literature is 

 not readily accessible. 



The Palaeozoic Gymnospermous seeds receive adequate treatment 

 and are separated into three groups, viz. the Lagenostomales, the 

 Trigonocarpales, and the Cardiocarpales. Particularly good sum- 

 maries are given of the principal characters of each genus. We may 

 however note that in describing the basal chamber of Polylopho- 

 spermum comparison is made with " Triyoaocarpus Oliverir But 

 the supposed basal chamber of the latter was merely an effect of 

 obliquity of section in the lower part of the sclerotesta and had 

 no real existence. 



The absence of co-ordination between the families based on vege- 

 tative and reproductive material and upon impressions and petrifac- 

 tions is largely a necessary concomitant of the imperfection of our 

 knowledge. But though it would perhaps as yet be premature to 

 attempt any merging of, for example, the Neuropteridese, MeduUosea?, 

 and Trigonocarpales, or the Sphenopteridese, LyginopterideiB, and 

 Lagenostomales, yet one would have preferred an arrangement bv 

 wdiich these relationships were brought into greater prominence. In 

 addition a more copious use of cross-references would have been advan- 

 tageous. 



The final chapters on the Cycadophyta embrace a very useful 

 account of our present knowledge of the Bennettitales, in general, and 

 of the genera Cycadeoidea and Williamsonia in particular. 



It is scarcely necessary to add that, like its predecessors, tliis 

 volume forms an indispensable adjunct to all whose studies lie in this 

 direction. The numerous well chosen and excellently reproduced 

 illustrations contribute in no small degree to the usefulness of the 

 book. In reference to the method of production we would however 

 add one word of minor criticism. In view of the dissimilarity in size- 

 between volumes I, and II. it is unfortunate that the publishers 

 should have reverted in the present volume to the earlier type. A 

 greater uniformity tln-oughout the series in this respect would, we 

 feel sure, be generallv appreciated. 



E. J. S. 



Name this Flower. By Gaston Boxniee. Translated and ada]>tecl 

 from the French by G. S. Boulger, F.L.S. Fcap. 8vo, pp. xii,. 

 331, 64 plates. Dent & Sons. 6s. net. 



The coml)ination of the well-known method of the. dichotomous- 

 key with illustrations of each alternative wherever necessary is novel 

 in this country. M. Bonnier's works have long been known and used,, 

 but though the method removes the greatest objection to the ordinarv 

 "keys," viz. that a single small error sets one travelling farther and 

 farther from the correct name, it has yet to be a]:»plied to the British 

 flora. The statement on the wrapper of this translation, which has^ 

 b^en very carefully done, of Les Noins des Flenrs—ih?^ it includes 

 " all the plants and flowers found in France, Belgium, Switzerland, 

 and England, and in general all the common jjlants and flowers of 

 Europe " — is, of course, one of those exaggerated inaccuracies that the 

 general publisher seems to permit hmiself only in respect of matters 

 scientilic : the plants included are those generallv distriljuted over 



