l64 THE NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [i, 4, july 1905 



It is of course true that not very many children have the zeal and 

 perseverance to accomplish a good piece of research; not many, for 

 instance, will sit for an hour in the hot sun watching a wasp pro- 

 vision its nest. Yet I am inclined to think that under favorable 

 circumstances, and with suitable direction, the number of children 

 who would and could make careful observations is greater than the 

 number of adults. In such subjects as I have mentioned, where broad 

 results must be based on exceedingly numerous observations of a 

 comparatively simple character, I do not see why a considerable 

 portion of the necessary facts might not be gathered by children of 

 high-school age, and even younger, acting always in a cooperative 

 manner and under direction. 



I may add that as a matter of facts I have learned much from 

 specimens and information supplied by the young people I have had 

 to do with, as is duly recorded in my various published papers. 



t, d. a. cockerell. 



University of Colorado. 



BOOK REVIEWS 



Experiments with Plants. By W. J. V. Osterhout. New York, 

 Macmillan. 1905. Pp. 493, figs. 250. 



Professor Osterhout's book, " Experiments With Plants," 

 begins with two excellent chapters giving directions for experi- 

 ments on the germination of seeds. Then there follow chapters 

 on the work of roots, of leaves, of stems, of flowers and of fruits. 

 A general chapter on the influence of environment upon the 

 grow^th of plants ; one on fungi, particularly bacteria, molds, rusts 

 and smuts ; and a final one on the modern methods of plant 

 breeding complete the book. 



The book, according to Professor Bailey's preface, is intended 

 to supplement the latter's " Botany " and '' Lessons With Plants," 

 suggesting and explaining problems for experimentation. It is 

 not arranged, however, to serve especially as a laboratory manual, 

 for the experiments are not separated from the text and the chap- 

 ters also contain much information in addition to the experimental 

 work. In the chapter on roots there is discussion of soils and the 

 relation of plants to soil and to water, bringing in the agricul- 

 tural side of plant natural history. The structure, both internal 

 and external, of roots, leaves and stems is rather thoroughly 



