RKVII-WS 71 



In the tlircc volumes of this moiniiiienlal work the woods of 45 

 famihes arc descrihed in minutest detail. The method of treatment for 

 each faniih- is as follows: A comprehensive hibliojrraphy ; a statement 

 as to the amount and source of the material studied; a resume of the 

 features as a whole, and then of the several individual elements of 

 the woods of the family; keys to the different species. The woods are 

 then taken up by g^enera and species, the literature cited, and the 

 material and method of treatmen" and preparation fjiven. This is 

 followed by the microc:rai)hy of the woods which is treated under two 

 heads — "to])ography," and description of the elements. Under the 

 first heading are discussed such features as heartwood and sapwood. 

 rini^s of growth, general distribution of pores, wood parenchyma and 

 fbers. and the aj^pearance and size of the rays. "rip])le marks." gum 

 ducts, etc. 



The wood elements are usually di\ided into four groups — namely. 

 \essels, wood fibers, wood parenchyma cells, and ray cells. Other 

 groups such as substitute fibers, intercellular canals, etc., are added 

 when occasion demands. Exact measurements are recorded for all 

 features. Cell contents and crystals are also noted and described. 



To the student of woods, particularly of tropical woods, this and 

 its companion volumes are almost indispensable. There are no other 

 extensive works comparable to them. The fact that they are written 

 in C.erman should not detract much from their usefulness since only 

 a limited specialized vocabulary is necessary for an understanding of 

 the descrintive text. Such work a^ this has world-wide application 

 and i- by no means limited to the particular Javanese species described. 

 And it mav well serve as a basis antj guide for much needed investiga-' 

 tion of tiK' woods of other countries, especially of the American 

 Tropics. S. J. R. 



Textile Fibers and Cellulose in Brazil} By M. Pio Correa. Natural- 

 ist of the Botanical Gardens at Rio de Janeiro. 



This l)Ook is a compilation of monographs on the important fibrous 

 plants of Brazil. The most important of the.se plants are Piteira 

 gigantea {Fourcroya gigantea) and jute {Corchorus capsularis) which 

 occupy much of the book. The volume starts with a history of the 

 use of the fibrous plants since the Portuguese first came to Brazil. 



^ Fibras fcxtcis c cellulose. Ministerio da .A.gricultura, Industria e Com- 

 mercio. Rio de Janeiro, Imprensa Xacional, 191'.). Pp. 276 + XIII. Figs. 70. 



