1900] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 31 



the author lays stress on many fundamental facts in con- 

 nection with the vital functions of fungi. He says, "the 

 first character to be noted in all these plants, great or small 

 high in organization or simple in structure is the fact that 

 they breathe." While facts like these are well enough 

 taught in our colleges,too many teachers in our secondary 

 schools do not lay enough emphasis on the fundamental 

 principles underlying plant life. The writer briefly dis- 

 cusses the function, structure, reproduction, constituents 

 and habits of fungi. Fungi are divided into three conve- 

 nient classes. 1. Phycomycetes (algo-fungi), 2. Asco- 

 mycetes (the sacspore fungi), 3. Basidiomycetes (the ba- 

 sidial spore fungi). The slime moulds Mecetozoa are re- 

 garded as co-ordinate with the phylum, Thallophyta. Bac- 

 teria with their evident close alliance to the blue green 

 algae Cyanophyceae are regarded as forming together the 

 group Schizophyta. Most of the orders of fungi are treat- 

 ed sufficiently complete to meet the requirements for a be- 

 ginner. The matter is excellently arranged in every case. 

 An interesting chapter on the study of mycology in gen- 

 eral and its study in America in particular with reference 

 to special works is a good feature of the work. Also a chap- 

 ter on the geographical distribution of American fungi. 

 The concluding chapter treats of the methods of collection 

 and preservation of fungi, and hints for further study. 

 Prof. Underwood's work should certainly be in the hands 

 of every student of mycology. — L. H. P. 



Botanizing.— Prof. W. W. Bailey of Brown University. 

 16 mo. 142 pp. $.75. This is a guide to collecting and pre- 

 serving all kinds of botanical specimens including ferns, 

 lichens, mosses, algae, fungi and even fossils. Any intel- 

 ligent boy or girl can, with this book, become a botanist or 

 at least possess a collection. It is very full, explicit and 

 plain with a dozen or more illustrations. It is small enough 

 to carry on a tour in ones pocket. Nothing more or better 

 for the purpose could be asked. In another column we will 

 quote tLe directions regarding mosses. 



