1892. ] Current Literature. 131 
A large series of lantern slides of wood sections is also prepared by 
the author, and sold separately. They make particularly beautiful and 
instructive objects for class use. Untreated wood-section cards of all 
Sizes up to 4% by 6 inches are also made. They have a fine ivory-like 
appearance, and may be used for a great variety of useful and decora- 
tive purposes. 
The Oak.! 
Looked at as an independent treatise, we have in this book a suc- 
cinct account of the development, anatomy and economic relations of 
the English oak, forming a compact little volume that will be useful 
to every student of forest biology. Space limitations have sometimes 
necessitated a lack of fulness in statement that tends to obscurity, but 
in the main the work is good, clearly put, and accurate. 
The Modern Science Series, of which this is the third volume, aims, 
SO its editor, Sir John Lubbock, says, “to give on each subject the in- 
formation which an intelligent layman might wish to possess.” We 
can hardly imagine, however, that any layman, even an intelligent one, 
Would be able to read this book understandingly unless he had had 
thorough instruction In vegetable anatomy. For example: the ac- 
Count of the course of the fibro-vascular bundles of the stem and their 
felation to the leaf traces (pp. 43-51) is hard reading even for one who 
has considerable previous knowledge of this subject both by reading 
and dissection, This fault, which can be considered a fault only in 
the light of the editor’s preface, runs all through the book. : 
In these days when University Extension is coming to be such a 
Popular thing we can foresee for this book a useful service. A course 
of lectures on the hfe history of plants could be built around it, and 
© book then be recommended for the supplementary reading which 
ig of such courses require. The simplification and expansion by 
€ lecturer would counterbalance the technicality and conciseness of 
Mr. Ward, 
able. 
limite 
are rather ion (e. g. those on Pp- 57, 58, 59, and 111) and some 
cultivati to large for the page, especially those in the chapter on the 
‘ation of the oak. The make up of the book is very attractive. 
ir dee ee 
t 
— Marsuatt:—The Oak, a popular introduction to forest-botany. 
75. ON sence Series (edited by Sir John Lubbock) vol. III. 12mo. pp. vii+ 
ew York: p. Appleton & Co. 1 
