THe MIcROSCOPE. 381 
PLANT ORGANIZATION. A REVIEW OF THE STRUCTURE AND 
MorpPHOLOGY OF PLANTS BY THE WRITTEN MeEtHop. Simplified 
and Adopted to the Use of Beginners, either in Classes or as 
Private Students, in connection with any Text Book of Botany 
however elementary; being Equally Available for Use with or 
without the Employment of Botanical Technical Terms. By R, 
Halstead Ward, A. M., M. D., F. R M.S., Professor of Botany in 
the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Troy, N. Y.: Henry Stow- 
ell. Small 4to. Dr Ward’s book is so arranged that the stu- 
dent, after carefully examining root, stem, leaf, flower and fruit 
can by a few simple entries under the proper heads, prepare a 
complete description of the plant, with outline drawings, sec- 
tional diagrams of ovary or fruit, and even with microscopical 
sketches of hairs, glands, epidermis and pollen. The book is 
intended to help the beginner to help himself, and the pupil 
who faithfully pursues the course here arranged for him, can 
hardly fail to obtain a knowledge of plants not to be obtained as 
easily nor so thoroughly by any other method. It is object 
teaching of the most commendable kind; the pupil teaches him- 
self, since he is learning to observe, and to record what he sees. 
An elementary Biology on a similar plan would be worth ex- 
perimenting with, both by teacher and pupil. But to prepare 
such a book would be a aifficult task for even a master of the 
science. 
PRICED AND ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF MIcroscorEs AND Ac- 
CESSORIES. James W. (Queen & Co. Seventy-first edition.— 
The firm and its attractive catalogue are so well known that they 
need no introduction to the readers of THe Microscope. The 
catalogue is illustrated with full-page plates of the excellent 
Acme stands of which Messrs J. W. Queen & Co. are making a 
“specialty. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
Eprror THE Microscope: 
“An Amateur” is doing well, and although I do not believe 
all he says, yet he says a good deal that is acceptable. “Another 
Amateur,” in the October number, asks him a question which I 
no not think he answers. The question is, “Are not the objec- 
