1898] 213 
SOME NEW BOOKS 
Fossit PLANTS FoR STUDENTs oF BorANy AND GroLocy. By A. C. Seward, M.A., 
F.G.S. (Cambridge Natural Science Manuals.) Pp. i-xviii+ 1-452. With frontis- 
piece and 111 figures. Cambridge: University Press, 1898. Price 12s. 
No better indication could be given of the increased interest in the 
study of fossil plants than that afforded by the publication during the 
last few years of several text-books specially dealing with this branch 
of Natural History. At last it seems to be recognised that the student 
of recent botany must possess some knowledge of fossil botany to 
enable him to have a comprehensive view of his subject and equally, 
if not even more important is it, for the palaeobotanist to be thoroughly 
conversant with recent botany and especially with those groups which 
are more closely connected with those occurring in the fossil state. 
It is only when Fossil Botany has been so studied that any real advance 
can be made, and the present work admirably brings before us in a 
clear and lucid manner, the results which have been attained within 
the last few years from the study of fossil botany on these lines. I 
am certainly not one to declaim against the older workers who 
laboured under disadvantages which the modern student can scarcely 
appreciate, and who by patient work laid the foundation on which all 
workers must build, but by modern methods of research unknown to 
them, fossil botany now holds an important position in biological 
science, to which it has only attained within the last few years. 
Only the first volume of Mr Seward’s work has appeared. It 
begins with the lowest forms known as fossils and ends with the 
Sphenophyllales. Part I., consisting of six chapters, deals with 
matters connected aenerally with the study of fossil plants, while 
Part II., comprising chapters vii.-xi., treats of the systematic portion 
of the subject. 
Chapter i. gives a short historical sketch, while chapter 1. 
deals with the Relation of Palaeobotany to Botany and Geology. A 
short but very concise geological history is given in chapter 11., which 
is quite sufficient to show the succession and chief characteristics of 
the various “Formations.” Chapter iv., which describes various 
modes of Preservation of Plants as Fossils, we consider one of the 
most important parts in the work. It is only after much practical 
experience in collecting and examining fossils, that one learns 
how much to allow for differences in appearance, even in the same 
species, which are entirely due to different modes of fossilization. 
Chapter v. on the “Difficulties and Sources of Error in the 
Determination of Fossil Plants” is also admirably written and must 
be carefully read by all students. It illustrates the utter absurdity 
of classification based on external similarities of appearance or form. 
I may quote one sentence which shows a good use such errors may 
serve in the future. “It would serve no useful purpose, and I would 
occupy no inconsiderable space to refer at length to the numerous 
mistakes which have been committed by experienced writers on the 
