1887. | BOTANICAL GAZETTE. 169 
It would be downright folly to teach these subjects to children, if 
every step is not fortified by clear observations and experiments, for 
which the work provides. The book is so constructed that rote teaching 
is, indeed, well nigh out of the question. The limited number of well 
qualified teachers will restrict its use more than the inherent difficulty 
of the subject. 
A number of errors and oversights seems to be the rule in works of 
this class, to which the present one is no exception. On p. 16 the peri- 
carp of the peach and apple is spoken of as the seed coat. There ap 
pears to be a misconception of the limits of the epidermal system, espe- 
cially conspicuous on p. 24, and also of the significance of the term, 
“growing point,” which is made frequent use of. On p. 50 water is not 
recognized as a part of the food of the plant, although the way the plant 
makes use of it as a food is described on p. 538. 
Elements of Botany ; including organography, vegetable histology, vegeta- 
ble physiology and vegetable taxonomy, and a glossary of botanical 
terms. By Edson 8. Bastin, , F. R.M.8., professor of botany, 
materia medica and microscopy in the Chicago College of Pharmacy. 
8°., pp. xv, 282, figs. 459. Chicago: G. P. Engelhard & Co. 1887. 
Botanical text-books are coming thick and fast. It is one of the 
signs of the times which indicates that botany is taking its proper place 
as states, were drawn by his own hand to insure accuracy. We have © 
¥%s criticism upon their accuracy (with very few exceptions), but the 
qality of the majority is not at all in keeping with the beautiful text. 
