54^ Forestry Quarterly. 



climax type. It is apparent that so far as the amount of preci- 

 pitation, humidity and temperaure are concerned, the region might 

 support a mesophytic broadleaf forest, but the soil conditions of 

 the region, the low water holding capacity, the deficiency of 

 potash, lime and humus, the relative pauncity of nitrifying bac- 

 teria, the dry heath nature of the dead cover, all indicate a 

 xerophytic vegetation as the climax type. 



The recrudescence of old theories presents an interesting psy- 

 chological study. The author refers to a statement of the theory 

 by Sir Charles Lyell in 1846. One finds it stated in almost 

 the words of the present author by Mrs. Ellen Call Long in 1888, 

 namely: "But for the efifect of these burnings the pine forests 

 would never have been and but for the continual annual wood 

 firing that prevails so generally throughout the South, the Mari- 

 time Pine Belt would soon disappear and give place to a jungle of 

 hardwood and deciduous trees." (Proc. 7th Ann. Meeting. Am. 

 For. Congress, p. 39.) That fire under proper restrictions is a 

 good silvicultural agent has long been held by foresters. That 

 unrestricted forest fires are disastrous to best silvicultural con- 

 ditions is supported by data and by experience in most forested 

 areas of the country. If the longleaf pine region is an exception 

 to the general rule, it remains to be proven by statistical data. 



C. D. H. 



Life Zones and Crop Zones of New Mexico. By Vernon 

 Bailey. North American Fauna No. 35, U. S. Bureau of Biolo- 

 gical Survey. Washington, D. C. 191 3. Pp. 100. 



This bulletin follows the general outline of the North American 

 Fauna series of publications. The State of New Mexico is 

 divided into various areas and zones, based upon climate as 

 expressed in their animal and plant life. Reference is made to 

 the economic plants best adapted for cultivation in each area or 

 zone, but, from the nature of the case, discussions of crop zones 

 do not occupy a prominent place in the bulletin. The usual lists 

 of characteristic animals and plants follow the description of 

 each zone. 



The Lower Sonoran Area of the Lower Austral Zone enters 

 New Mexico from the south and extends a greater or less dis- 

 tance up the main river valleys, as well as over some of the 



