1895.] Current Literature. 329 
Knoblauch, following the most recent researches of Brefeld. Among 
the angiosperms the sequence of orders is based upon opinions as to 
morphological simplicity and complexity. For instance, epigyny and 
perigyny are less simple than hypogyny; zygomorphy is younger than 
actinomorphy; forms with united leaves indicate younger types than 
those with free leaves; acyclic flowers are older than cyclic; and so on. 
Such a sequence is largely like many that precede it, differing only in 
minor details. In our opinion the most useful chapter of the book is 
that entitled “the transition from the cryptogams to the phanerogams,” 
not that its facts are new, but because it is a compact presentation of 
what is often scattered. This particular “transition” may be no 
more important than several others, but the “gap” at that point has 
such a wide reputation that it is worth while to make a special effort 
to fill it. The Warming-Potter book is a very welcome one to Ameri- 
can botanists. 
Elements of botany.* 
This little book is one of the series of Cambridge Natural Science 
Manuals, and is quite a commentary on the status of botany at that 
ancient university. It is rather startling to us that our trans-atlantic 
friends are compelled to put such primers in the hands of university 
students. It is too meager even for our secondary schools. We have 
been cursed with “fourteen weeks of botany,” but fourteen days of 
botany is something appalling. Taking for granted that English bot- 
anists are not to blame for this state of affairs, but rather the mediaeval 
spirit of the universities, it becomes a matter of interest to see how 
our unfortunate brethren have accomplished this marvel of condensa- 
tion. We believe that Mr. Darwin has done all that could be ex- 
pected in the time at his command. How much better this is than 
nothing is another matter. He presents morphology, physiology, 
classification, anatomy, does not neglect the cryptogams, and does 
what is styled “practical work.” The subjects of the fourteen practi- 
cal exercises suggest the general range of the accompanying lectures. 
They are (1) the cell, (2) the seed and seedling, tubers, bulbs, (3) the 
root, (4) the herbaceous stem, (5) the arboreal stem, (6) phloem and 
cork, (7) the leaf, (8) reproduction, (9) the fern, (10) the reproduction 
of the fern, (1 1) the flower, (12) the flower, dichogamy, (13) the seed, 
(14) the fruit. Several examples are used under each study, so that a 
comparative view may be had. Well as the work has been done, our 
One thought is that of pity that it had to be done. 
1 Darwin, Francis; The elements of botany. Small 8vo. pp. 235; figs. 94. 
Cambridge (England) University Press. New York: Macmillan & Co. 1895. 
