l8 9*-] ' Open Letters. 



153 



exceedingly important one, not only in bringing together in handy 

 form all the species of phanerogams with their synonymy, but also in 

 helping establish the nomenclature of European plants. It is pub- 

 lished by Wilhelm Engelmann of Leipzig. 



A handbook of Geographical Botany, by Dr. Oscar Drude, has re- 

 cently been issued from the press of J. Engelhorn of Stuttgart, as one 

 of a series of geographical handbooks under the general direction of 

 Dr. F. Ratzel. The book contains nearly 600 pages and several colored 

 maps, and is altogether one of the most complete compends of phyto- 

 geography that has appeared. The relation of plants to environment 

 is discussed in all its ramifications. The conditions which cause a 

 special display of certain plant groups in different regions are fully 

 considered; and finally the different plant regions of the earth (some 

 twenty-one principal ones) are described. We would commend this 

 book to any would-be translator, as one that deserves to be speedily 

 translated into English, for its range is world-wide and its usefulness 

 should be equally extensive. 



An interesting work, by A. Osw. Kihlman, entitled "Pflanzen- 

 biologische Studien aus Russisch Lappland," has just been published 

 in Helsingfors (Finland). It appears as a part of the Proceedings of 

 the Finnish Biological Society. The book contains 300 pages, many 

 additional tables, 14 plates, and a colored map. The plates, which are 

 reproduced from photographs, are exceedingly interesting, showing the 

 landscape Of Lapland and the characteristic plant life. The flat land, 

 the scraggy shrubs and trees, the deep snows, and the altogether 

 drearv look make a strong impression. Of course, all this is but 

 superficial; and the effect of these conditions on plant life is the theme 

 which is fully discussed. 



OPEN LETTERS. 



To phytographers, especially Crypto#amists. 



La longue experience que j'ai faite dans l'elaboration de mon Syl 

 logc Fungorum omnium m' a persuade de Putilite, je dirai meme de 

 la necessite, de suivre dans la description des plantes certaines regies 



Voici ces recommendations: 



nou 

 hi 



aes diagnoses specifiques on generiques (preferablement en latin) 

 ccmcises et comparatives selon les regies phytographiques. En effe 

 1 ; t tres difficile et souvent tres ambigu de choisir dans la foule des 

 details les caracteres e- entiels et diff£rentiels. 



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