1898] SOME NEW BOOKS 281 



there is matter for several hours' diligent application in each division, 

 and the student who has honestly worked through the thirty-two 

 chapters will have a very fair knowledge of microscopic technique, 

 and of the structure of a representative series of plants. It is often 

 stated that illustrations are out of place in a l)ook dealing with 

 practical work. The excellent figures (prepared by the author himself) 

 form one of the most useful features of the book, and give the lie to 

 such statements ; but it is only l)ecause they are not mere diagrams, 

 but actual pictures of what the student may see in his own section 

 when he has attained the requisite skill in the use of his razor. 

 Those who have tried both know how much easier it is to work out a 

 section with the help of a picture than by following a mere description, 

 however carefully drawn up. Another good point in Strasburger's 

 arrangement is its commencement with the study of the cell and 

 its contents, followed by a general introduction to plant structure 

 before passing to a more special investigation of individual types. 

 The type system is in fact throughout subordinated to the general 

 idea, and herein lies the chief superiority of Strasburger's over our 

 English introductions to the practical study of plants. It is matter 

 for surprise that, considering the number of our teachers of botany 

 who have been attached to Strasburger's laboratory at Bonn, there is 

 no good elementary book in our language on the same lines. 



New Seeial 



In 1897 Messrs Georg et Cie of Geneva published the first volume 

 of the Annuaire du Conservatoire et du jardin botaniquc de Geneve. It 

 is edited by Dr John Briquet, and sold for 5 francs. The volume 

 contains an account of the garden and Delessert herbarium for 1896, 

 and various scientific papers. 



Eecent Serials 



Professor G. S. Boulger will take over the editorship of Nature 

 Notes with the April number. The Selborne Society could scarcely 

 have found a more useful officer. 



As some of our readers may be meteorologists, we should draw 

 attention to the March number of The Photogram, which contains an 

 article on the "Photography of Clouds," illustrated by admirable 

 reproductions of photographs. 



With the present year, the excellent little Norwegian Magazine 

 Naturen, blossoms out in a new cover of very artistic design. Nos. 1 

 and 2, which are issued together, contain an article by Prof. E. 

 Collett on " The Mode of Life and Occurrence of the Beaver in 

 Norway," illustrated by figures and two plates. Following it is a 

 careful account by L. Schmelck of some researches on the water 

 from ice-fields and glaciers, discussing the cause of the green colour 

 of the ice- water. 



The American Naturalist is now published by Messrs Ginn & Co., 

 of Boston, and its January number appeared in a new cover of pleasing 

 appearance, and printed on highly calendered paper of somewhat 



