214 NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [13:5— May, 1917 



Animal Micrology. By Michael F. Guyer. Chicago: University of Chicago 

 Press. Price $2.00, postage extra (weight 1 lb. 10 oz.) 



The development of microscopical technique during recent years has been 

 so great that too often it seems to the uninitiated a science in itself rather than 

 an aid to study. The standard texts devoted to the subject are encyclopaedic 

 in character and however indispensable as laboratory reference books are 

 altogether formidable for the beginner. The result is that the undirected 

 student of biology, wishing to prepare his own materials, is bewildered and 

 discouraged by the multiplicity of methods and by complicated directions. 



The need for a guide, in English, which could take even the beginner through 

 the maze and which could insure his mastering of the essentials of the subject, 

 was met some ten years ago by the publication of the first edition of Professor 

 Guyer 's "Animal Micrology." In clear, simple language, it presented the 

 principles of technique, and then starting the student with his own material, 

 led him step by step to his goal — the carefully prepared, completed slide, 

 ready for study. 



The favorable reception accorded the first edition has led the author to 

 bring out an enlarged and completely revised second edition. "The general 

 plan of the book has not been altered" but many sections have been entirely 

 rewritten, and two new chapters, one, on 'Cytological methods', the other on 

 'Drawing' have been added. The discussion of the principles of the micro- 

 scope is very brief, on account of the available excellent treatises of Gage and 

 of Carpenter. 



The various methods of imbedding and sectioning, of isolation, staining, 

 and mounting are clearly and explicitly discussed. In addition there are 

 chapters devoted to the essentials of embryological methods, blood examina- 

 tion, and bacterial examination and to the preparation of invertebrates and 

 objects of general interest. The memoranda at the end of each chapter, 

 and the consideration of difficulties likely to be encountered will prove helpful 

 to the laboratory worker and the advanced student as well as the beginner. 



The author has met his aim of making the entire book practical, omitting 

 the unessential, and above all, giving definite statements. Students and 

 teachers of animal biology are fortunate in having so helpful and practical 

 a work available. 



Tree Wounds and Diseases, A. D. Webster, J. B. Lippincott Company. 215 

 pp. 32 full page plates. $2.50. 

 Only a few years since the name Tree Doctor was a term of derision just as 

 was Bugologist applied to the Entomologist a few years earlier. But both 

 these titles have earned their place in the honorable professions through saving 

 the trees from the ravages of insects and diseases. This volume is opportune 

 as the author says it is written with the distinct object in view of bringing 

 home to owners of trees, or those in charge of such, that at a small outlay of 

 labor and expense, the lifetime of old, historic or accidentally damaged 

 specimens may be greatly extended. The book discusses in a clear and popular 

 manner: The management of decaying trees, Hollow trunks and their treat- 

 ment, Supporting heavy and diseased branches, Injured bark on root and 



