Current Literature 523 



very full and as complete as possible study, covering all points 

 on which the forester would seek information, and that on only 

 74 pages, which argues that not much superfluous language is 

 used. All statements are simple and clear, direct to the point. 

 On 18 pages generalities, the customary market statistics, supply 

 and cut, and prices are discussed; 30 pages give the life history 

 of the tree and of stands, including growth tables; 20 pages are 

 given to discussion of forest management ; an appendix brings 

 volume and taper tables. 



The absence of growth curves and percentic increment cal- 

 culations is to be regretted, but probably explained by the rela- 

 tive paucity of growth measurements. 



Although the painstaking work entitles the author to be be- 

 lieved in every particular, we venture to raise doubts in a few 

 cases. 



In the statistical part it is interesting to note that the supply 

 is still supposed to suffice for 40 years with a cut of one million 

 feet. In the biological section we had hoped that a final con- 

 clusion as to the function of the cypress knees might have been 

 arrived at. We cannot yet accept the author's conclusion that the 

 mechanical theory is any better supported by the evidence cited 

 on page 29, than the respiration theory. On the contrary, three 

 of his points could be cited as well in support of the latter. The 

 possession of such a respiratory apparatus helps to explain the 

 remarkable hydrophytic character of the species. 



This adaptation to wet conditions in which it approaches the 

 mangrove is perhaps the most interesting biological fact. While 

 it may be true, as the author seems to have proved, that cypress 

 "successfully establishes itself only in situations of very abundant 

 moisture," but subsequently shows more rapid growth on better 

 drained situations, we are loath to accept the implied sequence 

 that the cypress exists in the watery environment preferably and 

 not through the inability of other species to stand as much moist- 

 ure. The author speaks of the alluvial swamps as acid and hence 

 unfavorable to tree growth. Have these waters been actually 

 analyzed for the acid condition? 



Regarding shade endurance, the statement that cypress "will 

 endure partial shading for periods of considerable length" and 

 yet "cleans itself readily of branches" would appear contradictory, 

 the latter habit undoubtedly being a result of intolerance. 



