1900] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 31 



the author lays stress on many fundamental facts in con- 

 nection with the vital functions of fung-i. He says, "the 

 first character to be noted in all these plantSjg-reat or small^ 

 hig-h in org-anization or simple in structure is the fact that 

 they breathe." While facts like these are well enoug-h 

 taug-ht in our coUeg-eSjtoo 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 fung-i. Fung-i are divided into three conve- 

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

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

 sidial spore fung-i). The slime moulds Mecetozoa are re- 

 g-arded as co-ordinate with the phylum, Thallophyta. Bac- 

 teria with their evident close alliance to the blue green 

 alg-ae Cyanophyceae are reg-arded as forming- tog-ether the 

 g-roup Schizophyta. Most of the orders of fung-i are treat- 

 ed sufficiently complete to meet the requirements for a be- 

 g-inner. The matter is excellently arrang-ed in every case. 

 An interesting- chapter on the study of mycologfy in g-en- 

 eral and its study in America in particular with reference 

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

 ter on the g-eog-raphical distribution of American fung-i. 

 The concluding- chapter treats of the methods of collection 

 and preservation of fung-i, and hints for further study. 

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

 of every student of mycolog-y. — L. H. P. 



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

 16 mo. 142 pp. $.75. This is a g-uide to collectings and pre- 

 serving- all kinds of botanical specimens including- ferns, 

 lichens, mosses, alg-ae, fung-i and even fossils. Any intel- 

 lig-ent 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 the directions regarding mosses. 



