1896 THE MICROSCOPE. 31 



in view." A student taking a course in this work, under the 

 guidance of a good teacher ought to have a fair knowledge of 

 pollination, the structure and relationships of plants. The 

 numerous questions asked ought to make the student think 

 rather than take statements for granted. It ought certainly 

 to train the student's power of observation, and this after all, for 

 most students, is the most valuable part in a study of natural 

 history. 



The Bergen book begins with seed and germination, parts of 

 a seedling, storage of nourishment in the seed, roots, stem, 

 structure of stem, buds, leaves, leaf arrangements, minute 

 structure of leaves and functions, protoplasm and its proper- 

 ties, infloresence, and plan structure of the flower, nature of 

 floral organs, fertilization, fruit, struggle for existence, classifi- 

 cation of plants and types of flower plants. 



The work is admirably planned. The work outlined consists 

 of experiments as well as giving reasons for observed phenomena. 



Under seed and its germination, squash seed is first taken up 

 with reference to germination, then an examination of general 

 character. In experiment (1), emphasis is laid on whether 

 light assists germination or retards it; in experiment (2), tem- 

 perature is considered; in experiment (3) relation of water to 

 germination; in experiment (4) relation of air to germination. 



The work combines histology, physiology and morphology. 

 The chapter on flowers takes up pollination. We believe how- 

 ever that the author should have used the word pollination in 

 place of insect fertilization, and wind fertilization. The chap- 

 ter on fruits discusses dissemination with pertinent questions 

 as to why and how plants are disseminated. , We hope when a 

 second edition is called for, that the author will place the index 

 and glossary at the end of the volume. As it is the index and 

 glossary of part I immediately [irecede part II. There can be 

 little use for part II, Key and Flora, which only embraces a 

 few of the commonest spring flowers of the northern and middle 

 states. There partial floras are always unsatisfactory as one is 

 sure to find, in a short time, plants that are not represented. 

 The book is however a commendable one in other respects and 

 will prove valuable for high schools and smaller colleges. 



