46 THE MICROSCOPE. 
Reviews, 
BoraANnicAL Micro-CHEMISTRY; an introduction to the study of Vegetable His- 
tology, prepared for the use of students. By V. A. Poulsen, translated 
by William Trelease, of the University of Wisconsin. Boston, S. E. Cas- 
sino & Co. 1884. $1.00. Pp. 118, small 8vo. 
The work before us deals with micro-chemical reagents and 
their application; mounting media; cements; vegetable substances, 
and the means of recognizing them. There are a large number of 
special reagents, and methods given here for the first time. 
A careful review of the book enables us to state that it contains 
all the most valuable reagents used in botanical micro-chemistry. 
It is only by the use of such reagents that the chemical composition 
and nature, and even the physical structure of bodies can be recog- 
nized. 
The second part is devoted exclusively to the various methods 
of recognizing the different vegetable substances, as cellulose, lig- 
nin, starch, coloring matters, etc. The blue color given to starch 
by the tincture of iodine the author regards ‘as the result of a 
(molecular?) solution of the iodine in granulose.”’ 
This book is one of those handbooks that will so soon show the 
result of use—because it will be referred to so often. We recom- 
mend it strongly to all workers in vegetable histology. 
Tue HumMAN Bopy; an elementary text-book of Anatomy, Physiology, and 
Hygiene. By H. Newell Martin, M. A., M, D., Professor of Biology in 
Johns Hopkins University. New York: Henry Holt, & Co. 1883. Pp. 
335, pl. 4. Ill. $1:00 
This is the second volume in the “American Scientific Series, 
Briefer Course.’”’ As Professor Martin succeeded so well in his 
larger work it is not a surprise to find the abridgement also equally 
well adapted to the class demanding it. It is no simple matter—we 
know of scarcely anything more difficult—for an author to write a 
work that shall be at the same time both scientific and easily com- 
prehensible. This text-book contains clear, simple language, with- 
out in the least being superficial. 
At the foot of each page isa list of questions to enable the 
-student to test whether he has mastered his lesson. 
To aid the teacher in his work there are directions accompany- 
ing each chapter for demonstrating the main outlines in anatomy, 
and for physiological experiments, including vivisections on the 
frog. Asa text-book for schools and academies it appears to com- 
pletely fill the vacant place. It is clear and comprehensible, schol- 
arly and scientific. 
