CURRENT LITERATURE. 
The Seaweeds. 
So large a part of our courses in general morphology has to do with 
the algze that any handy text concerning them is welcome. The ordi- 
nary list of “types” has become somewhat stereotyped in text and 
illustration, and information concerning a broader range of forms 
would be very useful to such teachers as are not specializing in the 
group. Mr. George Murray’s new book? is designed to fill such a 
place and should be very helpful. A full introduction gives a histori- 
cal sketch of our knowledge of the group, the division on the basis of 
color and the relation of colors to distribution in depth, the relation 
of light and temperature to distribution, agents of distribution, com- 
parison of the floras of different oceans, littoral and pelagic floras and 
their relation to the sustenance of marine animals, distribution in 
time, directions for collection, etc. A rather full bibliography is also 
a very useful feature. Although this is an “introduction” to the study 
of alge, it is evident that the student must bring to it a general knowl- 
edge of the morphology and terminology of the group. A curious 
sequence is used, which is said to be for convenience. The Phaco- 
phycee are first considered; then the Chlorophycea and Diatomacea; 
then the Rhodophycee; and finally the Cyanophycee. The account of 
the Rhodophycee is based upon the papers of F. Schmitz, and differs 
from the ordinary classification. As a rule, the illustrations are clear, 
and many of them are new; while the eight colored plates give a fairly 
good idea of the coloration. The title “seaweeds” is to be taken liter- 
ally, for marine forms are chiefly considered, those of the fresh water 
being referred to only incidentally. The work will prove useful as 4 
reference book in our laboratories, furnishing collateral reading and 
new illustrations. 
Sand Hills of Nebraska. 
In changing the plan of its field work the Division of Botany has 
wisely selected for study certain peculiar regions which may yield defi- 
nite results to a biological survey in comparatively brief time and 
at small expense. Mr. Rydberg’s work! in the “sand hills” region ot 
Nebraska is a good illustration. This region extends over a wide area 
singer a ede hae ee aE 
* Murray, GeorGe.—An introduction to the stady of seaweeds. Small 8vo. 
pp. vii+271. col. pl. 8. figs. 88. London and New York: Macmillan & Co. 
1895. $1.75. 
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