1895.] Current Literature. 183 
told that “the cell divides by an ingrowth of the cell-wall:” while the 
only other mode of division is by free cell formation. Glands and 
secretion reservoirs, structures which one would suppose of great in- 
terest to the pharmacist are dismissed in 12 lines. But it is useless to 
go into further details. Prof. Sayre is undoubtedly competent to write 
about materia medica, but he is not competent to write about botany, 
and it is a pity that he undertook to prepare this part of his book, for 
it is unworthy of the larger special part and of the handsome dress in 
which the well known publishers have clothed it. 
A manual of histology. 
A new laboratory manual for classes beginning the study of vege- 
table histology is being perfected and will be issued after a time. I 
is by Professors M. B. Thomas of Wabash College and W. R. Dudley 
of Stanford University. It is the outcome of a number of years ex- 
perience and trial, first in the laboratory of Cornell University and 
afterward in the institutions with which the authors are now connected, 
In the division of labor Part I on technique and also the editorial su- 
pervision of the whole work has fallen to Prof. Thomas, and Part II 
on laboratory directions and also the general plan of the whole book 
to Prof. Dudley. 
The aim of the authors is to furnish concise and detailed direction 
for the elementary study of cells and tissues according to the most ap- 
proved methods of manipulation. The idea is to lead the student 
who enters the laboratory, where the microscope and microtome are 
the chief instruments, through a careful and well-thought-out course 
of instruction from the handling of a compound microscope to the 
preparation and examination of serial sections, and to familiarize him 
with the most common forms of tissues of the vegetative organs of the 
higher plants. Numerous references are made to standard text-books, 
that are likely to be found in a well equipped laboratory. 
As an aid in teaching the pupil exact methods at the outset of his 
course, the work is admirably conceived and will doubtless meet with 
favor. The plates are somewhat lacking in the finish of the drawings 
and in their arrangement on the page, but are serviceable. 
A monograph of the Mycetozoa. 
If any one imagines that in our abounding zeal for histological and 
physiological research among the higher plants the investigation of the 
Se world is likely to be forgotten, a glance at recent 
*THO w B. and DupLey, Wituiam R.—A laboratory man of 
plant Arne Reape Bretiealeavy edition. The authors, Crawfordsville, 06 cai 
TIS pp. 15 pl. $1.50. 
