392 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MAY 
clear. But there are places where certain finer shades of meaning in the 
original are not reproduced in the translation. These, of course, are the 
passages wherein Pfeffer’s personality and suggestiveness of mind are 
hinted at by form of statement, and it thus comes about that the English 
volume contains somewhat less of Pfeffer and more of Ewart, albeit its 
physiology is more concisely put than in the German edition. Also, 
while the entire omission in the translation of the author’s numerous paren- 
thetical cross references to other sections of the same work makes the text 
more readable, it cannot but be regretted that the volume has thus been 
robbed of one of the most characteristic and valuable features which the 
original possessed for research workers. For the latter class of English 
readers the German edition will still be in demand, though no place where 
physiology is studied can afford to be without the translation. 
In form, typography, etc., this volume follows the previous English volume 
and leaves nothing to be desired. The footnotes which cite the literature are 
usually merely translated, and have all the good and bad qualities of those of 
the original.— B. E. LIVINGSTON. 
Plant geography. 
THE appearance of the English edition of Schimper’s great masterpiece * 
has been long awaited with impatience by all English and American bot- 
anists. During the latter part of 1903 the Clarendon Press issued the trans- 
lation in instalments, and the completed work has been recently distributed. 
Every ecologist — one wishes he might say every botanist — has a well-thumbed 
copy of the original German edition upon his desk, and it has been one of the 
reference books most consulted during the past five years. Perhaps to such 
the appearance of a translation is too late to be of the greatest service. But 
to the reading public and to the students of botany in high schools, colleges, 
and universities the translation makes readily accessible this indispensable 
work, There can no longer be any reason for omitting ecological work frum 
the higher botanical curricula. 
The translation was prepared by W. R. Fisher, under the efficient super- 
vision of Groom and Balfour. An excellent photogravure portrait of Schimper 
forms the frontispiece. This is a particularly welcome addition, since it has 
been very difficult to secure satisfactory portraits of the great ecologist. 
Another addition in the English edition is a sympathetic appreciation of 
Schimper, written by Groom. 
One cannot praise too highly the laborious faithfulness to the original, 
which is shown in the translation. No unfortunate attempts are made to 
*, W., Plant geography upon a physiological basis. Authorized 
maps, and four hundred and ninety-seven other illustrations. Imp. 8vo. pp. Xxx 
xford: Clarendon Press. 1903. Sh. 42. 
