


1901} CURRENT LITERATURE 277 
biomores division again depends on the nature, number, and arrangement of 
the biomolecules. In the biomonad, division is possible (1) because the bio- 
mores are mobile, being in liquid ; (2) because they exercise a mutual attrac- 
tion (shown by their union into masses giving parts of the cell their definite 
characters), and consequently assume a determinate arrangement. But 
division of the cell is completely independent of its structure, though the 
figures accompanying division, such as the spindle, the equatorial plate, etc., 
are dependent upon structure. The efficient cause of division is indeed 
always the same, whether in biomolecule or cell, namely, the mutual orienta- 
tion of the parts; whatever the number, nature, or structure may be, division 
is inevitable when the proper arrangement is attained. Assimilation is indis- 
pensable to division, but not always sufficient. The discussion of cell division 
is elaborate and is illustrated by diagrams which make the presentation very 
clear and the process fascinatingly simple — would that it were so. 
Such is a very brief outline of the hypothesis. Of course, it adds nothing 
to our knowledge, and it would be easy to revile it as an unstable pile of 
assumptions. But the real questions are, Does it take account of the present 
facts and coordinate them? Will it suggest fruitful research? That it takes 
account of all the facts is improbable; that it does fairly coordinate the more 
important ones (alas, too few) seems evident. That it will stimulate inves- 
tigation remains to be seen. At any rate it deserves attention for what it 
purports to be, namely, an attempt to give a scientific interpretation of vital 
phenomena.—C. R. B. 
MINOR NOTICES. 
ONE OF THE latest of the series of Temple Primers is a little volume on Plant 
life and structure translated from the German o r. E. Dennert by Clara L. 
Skeat.3 The author seems to recognize no organisms as plants but the seed 
plants, and continually makes assertions of the most comprehensive sort which 
are true only of green plants. Indeed he is rather given to generalizations, 
both regarding structure and function, and to teleology of the Paley type. 
n many minor matters and in some important ones the book is not up to the 
times ; Goethean metamorphosis, sexual terms for the sporophyll and micro- 
spores, and much faulty physiology might have been more easily forgiven in 
a book dated a decade or two ago. But the best to be said of this booklet 
is that it is better than many more pretentious works and good enough for one 
to regret that it is not better.— C. R. B 
AMONG the plastic products of plants one of the groups most — 
chemically and most valuable commercially is the volatile oils. In thei 
manufacture many firms have been engaged, but none so extensively, so 
3 DENNERT, E.: Plant life and structure. Translated from the German by Clara 
L. Skeat. 16 mo. pp. viii+-115, figs. “ie — : J. M. Dent & Co. (undated). 
New York: The Macmillan Company. 40c 
