148 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [august 



are given in minute detail. The forms described were chosen evidently upon 

 the basis of. their widespread distribution, rather than because they are typical 

 of the groups they illustrate, or are important from the standpoint of 

 evolution. Spirogyra, V^aucheria, and Chara are the filamentous forms 

 selected to give the student an impression of the green algae, and Marchantia 

 is the only liverwort. It is an open question whether the day for laboratory 

 guides has not passed. The well-trained teacher does not need on^ — finds 

 it a hindrance in maintaining the plasticity of laboratory work, which should 

 change year after year with the availability of desirable material and the 



personnel of the class. — F. M. Lyon. 



A NEW LABORATORY MANUAL of botany has been provided by Dr. Otis 

 W, Caldwell." The book is the result of direct and personal contact with 

 the needs and possibilities of botanical instruction in secondary schools of 

 the middle West. It has avoided the too detailed and technical directions 

 of manuals better adapted to colleges than secondary schools; and at the 

 same time selects the essential features of the subject as now presented in 

 the best schools. It does not seek to eliminate the teacher or the good 

 reference book, but depends upon both to fill out and coordinate. It well 

 meets the demands of schools where time and facilities and the age of pupils 

 forbid the demands often made by zealous but inexperienced university 

 instructors. A good selection of material is presented, so that there may be 

 no difficulty in securing something illustrative. Of course, the wooden 

 teacher will think that everything mentioned is to be used, but for such no 

 suitable book can be written. The first part of the manual suggests 

 ecological and physiological studies ; the second part deals with the essentials 

 of morphology. — J. M. C, 



The ninth part" of Y.x\^^x% Pflanzenreich is a book of 437 P^S^^' 

 containing the Myrsinaceae by Carl Mez. After the usual introductory dis- 

 cussion, the 32 genera of this great tropical family are presented. The seven 

 new genera are Conaftdriiwi^ Sadiria, Afrardisia, Tetrardhia, Amblya^t- 

 thopsis, Discocalyx, and Grenacheria. The total number of species described 

 is 933» of which 348 are new. The large genera are Ardisia (235 spp.)' 

 Rapanea(i36 spp.), Maesa (102 spp.), and Embelia (92 spp.)- The fossil 

 forms of nine genera are also described. The vast amount of material to be 

 investigated in a single family like this is an impressive illustration of the 

 magnitude of the work undertaken by Professor Engler and his associates. 



A laboratory manual of botany, pp. x-|- 107. New York : D. Appleton & Co* 



1902. 



"Engler, A., Das Pflanzenreich. Regni vegetabilis conspectus. Heft 9 



Myrsinaceae von Carl Mez, pp. 437. Leipzig: Wilhelm Engelmann, 1902. M ZZ' 



