1887.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 79 
tance of many aquatic forms, and passed by many others with little notion of what 
they were. 
In estimating the value of the book, we may say that its literary workmanship is 
most excellent. The author writes clearly, and by an intelligent use of his figures, 
keys, and descriptions any one may very soon train himself to become an observer of 
microscopic forms of life, and, more than a mere curiosity seeker, a student of nature. 
The plan of the book, as well as the author’s motive in its production, is most admir- 
able. It is intended forthe popular reader, and is the first work of its kind published 
which relates directly to our American forms of life. Its faithful user will soon rise above 
the low level of butterfly-scale and leaf-hair collectors to a higher plane occupied 
by students who are studying the forms of living creatures, their habits, and the 
manner of their life processes. Thus, in the description of U¢ricularia (page 54), the 
plant is not merely named, but the interesting devices for capturing animal food are 
pointed out and described. We are well pleased with this feature. Valuable work is 
only accomplished by one who gets beneath the mere superficialities by closer obser- 
vation, and here he finds a guide which will promote this spirit in its users. We have 
to thank the firm of Harper Brothers for presenting in such agreeable shape so valu- 
able a book, and we trust that it may fall into the hands of a great many persons who 
would walk in the way if they only knew it, and help them to find the way, and stimu- 
late many who are now in the way to a better form and quality of work than they have 
hitherto known how to do. 
The Principles of Pharmacognosy. By F. A.¥Fliickigerand A. Tschirch. Translated 
from the second German edition by Frederick B. Power. 
This book gives to American students not only a valuable aid for the recognition 
of the various crude drugs of the vegetable kingdom, but also a hand-book of plant 
histology which will be highly appreciated. A most welcome feature is the large num- 
ber of fine illustrations which have not before appeared in American books. Numer- 
ous diagrams make clear points that students often find difficult of apprehension, and 
the acquisition of the technical terms is much facilitated by the frequent etymologies. 
The physiological classification of the tissues which is here employed has not received 
that attention in this country which by its helpfulness it surely merits, and we believe 
that the present translation in the hands of our students will do much to illuminate 
their histological study. i ie ea 
Notes on Microscopical Methods. By S. H. Gage. Ithaca, N.Y. Andrus & Church. 
1886-7. (pp. 32). 
This work is primarily intended for the instruction of the classes of Cornell Univer- 
sity, and is an amplification and improvement of a similar work prepared by the same 
author in 1881. It takes up the main facts which are required to be known to one who 
would be a successful histologist, presenting the following topics, viz :— 
1. The microscope, its parts, care, and use. 
. Interpretation of appearances under the microscope. 
. Magnification—ocular micrometer ratios. 
. Micrometry and drawing. 
. Adjustible and immersion objectives, etc. 
. Appendix—imbedding in celloidin, cutting, fixing, and clearing celloidin sec- 
tions, counting white blood corpuscles, cleaning large cover glasses. 
The book is well illustrated with diagrams and drawings, which fully explain the 
author’s meaning, and make his book a very convenient hand-book for any who 
would learn the use of the instrument, and, by means of the bibliographical notices 
and references liberally scattered through, would be useful to many persons who are 
already skilled in the use of the instrument. There is a line somewhere between igno- 
rance of most of the details of microscope construction and management, and the 
entire engrossment of the mind by those details to the exclusion of the use of the in- 
strument for its legitimate purpose which must be carefully drawn. Works which 
treat solely of technique sometimes give rise to the impression that mere technique is 
the end, and not real study the end to which the technique is merely a subservient 
means. Microscopical studies are peculiarly liable to fall into such a mistake, and 
become disgraced thereby. The work before us does not tend to foster such a spirit, 
but awards to the instrument a due amount of attention to secure its most efficient use, 
without making the user a student of the tool as the end of study. 
Own &W WN 
