96 The Botanical Gazette. [March, 
lous, while dates of genera and important works will furnish a mineot 
information to all systematists who do not have access to the exten- 
sive literature to be found at London and Berlin. The author seems 
to have caused most confusion by taking up the generic names of the 
first edition of Linnzus, Systema, instead of the first edition of his 
“Genera Plantarum.” Toillustrate, it may be imagined what confusion 
will arise in changing Nasturtium to Cardamine, Arabis to Erysimum, 
Lepidium to Nasturtium, and Sisymbrium to Hesperis. Upon the 
flimsiest pretext for example, Tragacantha replaces Astragalus, and its 
nearly 1500 species arerenamed. To mention all the suggested changes, 
or even the startling ones, that have to do with North American 
plants would be impossible in the space at our command, but in this 
connection we are glad to call attention to the excellent service ren: 
dered by our friend, Dr: Britton, in printing in the February Bullenn 
the principal changes suggested for the generic names of North 
American plants, a service rendered still more valuable by his owt 
annotations. 
The plant world. 
Under this title Mr. Massee has published what appear to be lectures 
originally prepared for use under the auspices of the London Socielf 
for the extension of university teaching, to which society Mr. Masseé 
is a lecturer. These lectures deal with plant architecture; the chem 
istry and physics of plant life; proteciive arrangements; reproduction 
in plants; relationship amongst plants; fossil plants; and the 
graphical distribution of plants. 
t. Massee is a botanist of no mean repute, and one expects va 
of him than of an unknown tyro. The ground covered by this hi 
As a whole the style is very bad. The sentences are long ee 
volved. Occasionally they extend to enormous lengths. We ie 
: Masser, Grorce :— The plant world, its past, present and pee a 
duction to the study of botany. 12 mo., Pp. x. 212, figs. 56. London: a 
taker & Co. (New York: Macillman & Co.) 1891. 35h. 6d. 
