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Recent textbooks 
IN THE PREFACE of his Principles of botanyt CHopaT announces that he intends 
to present a résumé, as concise as possible, of the general principles of botany, 
which presupposes of its readers such scientific preparation as is given in the 
secondary schools of France and Switzerland, i. e., the rudiments of natural and 
physical sciences. While attempting to state the facts in the precise language of ~ 
physics and chemistry, he wishes readers to recognize that the phenomena are not 
reducible to the simple (sic) terms of these sciences. Not content with presenting 
only facts and definite theories, he calls attention to the unsolved problems as a 
stimulus to study. CHopar disclaims the intention to write a treatise or a diction- 
ary of botany, and limits his choice to those principles about which others may be 
conveniently and logically grouped. Keeping in mind the author’s intention, we 
inquire how the book conforms to it. 
In the first place, it is not so extensive as the number of pages would indicate. 
It is liberally and well illustrated, many of the figures being original and all on a 
rather large scale. Then the text is very open, much broken by paragraphing, 
a single sentence, sometimes one of only three or four words, commonly consti- 
tutinga paragraph. That necessitates much more brevity than would be expected 
in 744 pages. | 
The book opens with the section on general physiology, in which are discussed 
the constitution of living matter and the acquisition and transformations of 
energy. In general this section covers the physics and chemistry of plants, 
arranged in somewhat novel fashion. Part of the chapter, as the discussion of 
the ionic theory, is thoroughly modern, but so condensed as to be far beyond 
the grasp of one who does not already know a good deal of physical chemistry; 
part, on the contrary, such as the distinctions in kinds of radiant energy, conforms 
to the current, though long outgrown, phraseology. 
After a section on the cell and the tissues, including chapters on the cell, 
organogeny, and anatomy, the third section appears as special physiology. Here 
the chapters treat of “functions of elaboration” (including in this term, curiously 
enough, transpiration and the circulation of water and foods, but not photo- 
synthesis; growth in the abstract, but no t growth directed or controlled by 
external agents), “functions of relation,” and “reproduction.” The chapter on 
functions of relation discusses the responses to stimuli, formative and directive. 
I 1 Copa, R., Principes de soe 8vo. pp. viiit 744. figs. 829. Geneve: 
Georg et Cie. 1907. : 
420 
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