1893. ] Current Literature. 73 
Such diseases are often of the most virulent and destructive char- 
acter, as pear blight and tomato blight; or they are wide spread and 
exceedingly harmful by decreasing the yield, although not killing the 
plant or producing marked changes in it, as the bacterial disease of 
oats. This latter class is not recognized as disease by the cultivator. 
The literature of this subject is much scattered, and unusually frag- 
mentary. Few of the diseases have been systematically investigated, 
and not one has been fully worked out. The life history of the par- 
asite in every case still demands attention, and even the nature of the 
parasitism itself would be a fruitful field for study. Nevertheless, were 
what is already known of the subject put together, it would form a 
fair sized volume. 
There can be little doubt that what has so far been discovered is 
but a beginning. The results are likely to be eventually quite as ex- 
tensive and important as in animal pathology, except in so far as the 
latter directly affects or coincides with human pathology. 
_ What is especially needed at this stage of advancement is the con- 
tinuous and systematic examination of the whole ground by one or 
more well equipped investigators, and the publication of a critical 
statement of what may be safely accepted as proven. Even a sum- 
Marization of the present status of the subject, without critical labor- 
atory study, would be helpful, if well done. 
CURRENT LITERATURE. 
Biology in an attractive form. 
Gibson’s recently published work, which he has called “Sharp 
Eyes,” is an adm 
of view consi 
usely illustrated with spirited glimpses of nature, most delicately 
and artistically drawn. 
bins ne author has, indeed, “ sharp eyes,” not only to see small objects, 
pitiiey penetrate their meaning. He looked at “ things not rare, nor 
eS me nor foreign, things which are to be found in almost any of 
Sei OF fields, oF copses; and which any wide-awake saunterer 
1G ——$—$— $$ $s ee 
iBSoN, Wm. Hamitton.—Sharp Eyes, a rambler's calendar of fifty-two 
ts, birds and flowers. Roy. 8vo. Harper & Brothers, 
: Pp. 322. Illust. $5.00. 
Go Vel SWNT os 3’ . 
