268 



NATURE 



[December 29, 1910 



fifraphing the family Scrophulariaceae in De Candolle's 

 Prodromus (1846), grouped these species with a few 

 others as a subdivision Pentasepalffi of the section 

 Cliamaedrys, characterised and distinguished from 

 other subdivisions, and the majority of the species of 

 the genus, by the five-toothed calyx as contrasted with 

 the usual four-toothed organ. The disappearance, by 

 gradual reduction, of the median sepal is one of the 

 factors in the diminution of the zygomorphv, which 

 is a feature of the Veronica flower when compared 

 with the more strikingly zygomorphic forms typical 

 of the family. These pentasepalous forms are to be 

 regarded as an older type from which the more 

 numerous tetrasepalous have been derived, and Dr. 

 Watzl again directs attention to the fact that the 

 character is a variable one, four-sepalled flowers 

 being of frequent occurrence. 



None of the three species which are the subject of 

 the memoir occurs in the British Isles, but they are 

 widely distributed in central and southern Europe. 

 Veronica prostrata is the most constant of the three ; 

 besides the type only one form and one variety (from 

 Siberia) are recognised. There is, however, a con- 

 siderable amount of variation in habit, degree of 

 hairiness, and size of parts ; and, as shown by 

 plate v., the leaf displays great variety in size and 

 form in specimens from different localities. The other 

 two species are remarkably polymorphic, and are sub- 

 divided by the writer into a series of subspecies, varie- 

 ties, and forms, with, in several cases, a number of 

 transitional forms between the different subspecies. 

 Dr. Watzl has made a careful and exhaustive study 

 of a large series of specimens from central and 

 southern Europe, as well as of the citations in the 

 numerous European floras, and the results of his work 

 will have a special interest for the critical student of 

 the European flora. It is inevitable, however, that 

 the personal element should enter into such a detailed 

 study of a highly variable species occurring over a 

 somewhat extended area, and It is probable that other 

 critical students of the same group would not entirely 

 concur with the limitations of forms and varieties 

 which are adopted by Dr. Watzl. A. B. R. 



SCHOOL DRAWING. 

 (i) A Course of Drawing for the Standards. Being 

 a Selection of Sheets from "A Complete Course of 

 Free-Arm and Industrial Drawing.'' By J. W. T. 

 Vinall. Pp. 24 + xxiv charts. (London : Blackie 

 and Son, Ltd., 1910.) Price 65. net. 

 (2) Natural and Common Objects in Primary Draw- 

 ing, with Full Directions as to Their Use. A 

 Handbook for Teachers. By J. W. T. Vinall. Pp. 

 v + 68. (London : Blackie- and Son, Ltd., 1910.) 

 Price 3s. 6d. net. 

 {l)npHE issue of the author's "Complete Course of 

 J- Free-Arm and Industrial Drawing," in sec- 

 tions is a wise step that will be much appreciated by 

 teachers. The first portion, published as "A Course 

 of Kindergarten Drawing, for Infants and Small Chil- 

 dren," has now been followed by a second and more 

 advanced selection under the title given above. It 

 NO. 2148, VOL. 85] 



outlines a progressive school course for youths from 

 six j'ears upwards, corresponding to standards I. t*> 

 VII. and beyond. The first six plates deal with brush 

 work and the principles of colour harmony, with 

 applications to natural objects and ornamental designs. 

 The next six illustrate a well-graded course of free- 

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 and designs, with reference to the laws of growth, 

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 able to teachers. They are beautifully executed, 

 generally in colours. As a whole, the work forms as 

 admirable a course of school drawing as could be 

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(2) This is a new work, intended to be supplemen- 

 tary to the one noticed above, its main object being 

 to assist the teacher in the selection of objects, pro- 

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 The illustrations include familiar objects in common 

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OUR BOOK SHELF. 



Iron and Steel Analysis. Vol. i., Ordinary Consti- 

 tuents. By A. Campion. Pp. 80. (Glasgow: 

 Eraser, Asher and Co., Ltd. 1910.) 

 This small handbook gives a detailed account of the 

 methods used in determining the -six or seven elements 

 invariablv occurring in pig-irons and ordinary steels, 

 and also'' those employed in the proxima;te analysis 



of coal. 1 . J -u A 



With few exceptions, one method only is described 

 for each element, and in every case one which has 

 been in use (with modifications) in steel-works 

 laboratories for many years. Although, therefore, 

 there is nothing new by way of contribution to the 

 existing literature on the subject, the book is emin- 

 entlv suited to beginners. It is doubtful, however, 

 whether the author's hope that works chemists will 

 find the book useful will be realised, as some of the 

 methods described are by no means quick enough. 

 Rapiditv, consistent with accuracy, is a very impor- 

 tant consideration in steel-works laboratories, a fact 

 which the author obviously recognises in the preface. 

 The opening out of grey irons with hydrochloric 

 acid in silicon determinations, as described in this 



