1887. ] BOTANICAL. GAZETTE. or 
era in the same family may differ from each other in a very marked 
degree, as do the genera Amorpha, Sophora and Erythrina in the Legu- 
But, notwithstanding the difficulties,in the way of specific or 
generic determination, the family can probably in all cases be recognized. 
The genera of fossil plants foundedjupon histological data must then be 
comprehensive. Salicinium, for instance, will include Populus as well as 
Salix.—F,..H. Know ton. 
Handbook of Practical Botany. By E. Strasburger, Professor of Botany in 
the University of Bonn; ‘edited from the German®by W. Hillhouse,. 
. A., F. L. S., Professor of Botany, Mason Science College, etc. 8°. 
pp. xxiv, 425. London: Swan Sonnenschein, Lowrey & Co, 1887. 
This book adds another admirable help to the study of plant anatomy 
in the laboratory. Teachers everywhere hailed with delight the appearance 
the Botanisches Practicum of Strasburger, and, shortly after, of its abridge- 
ment, Das Kleine botanische Practicum. The translation and careful edit- 
ing of the latter now puts a most excellent manual into the hands of 
English and American students—for it must be confessed (though with 
somewhat of shame) that most American college students can not use a 
German book with any profit., Most,of our readers already know the 
arrangement and excellence of the book from the German edition. “The 
manualis divided into thirty-two chapters, each of which is intended to 
provide material for several hours’practical work in the laboratory. The’ 
earlier chapters are easy, and the difficulties to be encountered increase” 
almost constantly up to the last chapter.” To each chapter the editor has 
prefixed a list of materials necessary, and regrets that he did not also list 
the reagents to be used. ‘Both are excellent ideas. The enlarged appen- 
dices, containing lists of reagents and notes on their preparation and use, 
are very valuable. Throughout the work the editor has interpolated 
phrases and paragraphs which serve to make clearer the author’s mean- 
Ee and supplement the study which he directs. The additional illustra- 
tions which are given are theZubiquitous ones from Sachs, DeBary and 
Pranti, which, though good, do not compare favorably with the fresh and 
beautifully executed originals of the Practicum. 
As to translation, the work is perhaps as well done as usual, though it 
must be said that the English is not “the King’s English.” It is plain, 
however, that this is attributable to the influence of, the German upon the - 
translator, It is hardly possible for a man to translate from the German 
directly into good English, unless he be an'exceptional scholar. One must 
either be content to write out the literal translation, lay it aside for sev- 
eral’months and then reduce it to readable English, or let some one else 
Correct the manuscript. Such sentences as these are not uncommon: | 
So much drawing ability as is necessary for this he may indeéd possess, 
or can however readily obtain. by practice thecnecessary facility.” “So- 
much water is also;poured into: the’ plate till the bell-shade has) its lower 
‘edge quite immersed in it.” Nor do we like some of the terms the editor 
