





{9o1] CURRENT LITERATURE 205 
relaxing the too rigid notions of morphology which are still prevalent. While 
constantly calling attention to the variation which occurs in nature and which 
may also be brought about artificially, the author also recognizes that environ- 
ment is not the only factor in plant development, but that heredity is equally 
important. Representing as it does the work which is being carried on in the 
author’s laboratory, the book has the freshness of research, and is full of 
suggestions to those engaged in morphological investigation. 
Those who have read the first part will be glad to learn that the present 
volume is not so difficult, An early English translation is announced.— 
‘CHARLES J. CHAMBERLAIN. 
MINOR NOTICES. 
THE SIXTH FASCICLE of Wildeman and Durand’s ///ustrations de la flore 
du Congo has appeared recently, containing plates 61 to 72 inclusive. This 
elaborate work, with its very handsome plates, needs no further commenda- 
tion than has been given already in this journal.— J. M. C 
THE SECOND FASCICLE of Schumann's Bliihende Kakteen (Iconographia 
Cactacearum) has appeared recently. It contains descriptions and beautiful 
colored illustrations of Mamit/aria Wissmannit Hildmann, M. raphidacantha 
Lem., Echinocactus horripilus Lem.,and E. Mathssonii Berge. The publisher 
is J. Neumann in Neudamm, and the price is four marks.—J. M. C 
THE SECOND VOLUME of Primitiae Florae Costaricensis, under the editor- 
ship of H. Pittier, bearing date 1898—1g00, has appeared in seven fascicles. 
The collaborators are J. Donnell Smith (Polypetalae and Gamopetalae), 
‘Casimir DeCandolle (Piperaceae), G. Lindau (Acanthaceae), F, Pax (Euphor- 
biaceae), and A, Engler (Araceae). Numerous new species are described, 
but the only new genus published is Ko/odohilus (Acanthaceae).—J. M. C. 
THREE FASCICLEs of the first volume of Engler and Prantl’s Vat. Pflan- 
zenfamilien have appeared recently, as follows: 204 contains the conclusion 
of fossil Filicales and the Sphenophyllales by H. Potonié, and the beginning 
of the living Equisetales by R. Sadebeck ; 205 contains the conclusion of the 
living Equisetales by R. Sadebeck, the fossil forms by H. Potonié, and the 
beginning of the Lycopodiaceae by E. Pritzel ; 206 contains the conclusion 
of the Lycopodiaceae and the Psilotaceae by E. Pritzel, the Psilotaceae 2 
H., Potonié, and the beginning of Selaginellaceae by G. Hieronymus. —J. 
A. M. Fercuson (Twelfth Ann. Rep. Mo. Bot. Gard. 33-73. hi 
and varieties are recognized, all of which are illustrated. The conservative 
Spirit of the work is indicated by the fact that in a genus of great possibilities 
only one new species is described, and five forms are made new varieties. 
