



CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS 
The morphology of spermatophytes.* 
TuHIs volume forms the first part of a treatise on seed plants. The repu- 
tation of the senior author as a lucid and interesting writer is well borne out 
in the present instance. The illustrations, which in many cases are obviously 
due to the junior author, are admirably executed when original, and well 
chosen where they are drawn from earlier publications. The typography and 
general make-up of the book are creditable. 
s is stated in the preface, the present volume grew out of a course of 
lectures, accompanied by laboratory work, and it shows throughout a com- 
mand of the most recent literature and a knowledge at first hand of all the 
morphological facts which may be investigated in a well equipped laboratory 
in the temperate region of the United States. It presents original views in 
regard to morphological terminology and phylogeny, while concerning Ginkgo 
and the Coniferales a considerable amount of original information is supplied. 
The extant Gymnosperms are divided in accordance with the results of 
recent investigations into four classes, the Cycadales, Ginkgoales, Coniferales, 
and Gnetales. The information supplied concerning the first class incorpo- 
rates the important recent works of Ikeno, Webber, and Lang on the gamet- 
ophyte. The interesting genus Ginkgo is elevated on the basis of the 
researches of Hirasé, Webber, and Seward into the representative of a group. 
(Ginkgoales) distinct from the Coniferales. We find here a considerable 
amount of original information concerning the earlier and later stages of the 
seed, including several good figures and photomicrographs. More space is 
naturally given to the Coniferales than to any other class of Gymnosperms,. 
since they are the representative group of the present day. In this connec- 
tion we find an éxcellent photograph illustrating the Heteromorphy of certain 
coniferous seedlings. The account of the reproductive organs is mainly based 
on the original examination of Pinus Laricio. The photomicrographs and 
figures in this section are particularly fortunate, especially those saike 
illustrating the development of pollen and of the embryo. autho 
express the opinion that the genus nds is perhaps the most sdecilieed 
representative of the group. Towards the much disputed question of the 
OULTER, JOHN M., and CHAMBERLAIN, oa J.: Morphology of Sperma- 
Spices Part I. Sv nucanaras 8vo. pp.x + 188. figs. 706. New York: D. Apple~ 
ton & Co., 1900. $1.75. 
Foon 355 
