1893.] Current Literature. 431 
‘book is a laboratory guide rather than a text-book, although it con- 
‘santly associates form with function and ‘gives frequent excellent 
ammaries. It undoubtedly directs to proper methods of observation 
ad seeks to cultivate the true scientific spirit. The serious question 
vill be raised whether such a book should encourage the “actual state 
-ofthings in most of our preparatory schools” or: should show the same 
‘hools what the state of things ought to be in order to properly teach 
y. The present book begins with an excellent series of studies 
| ofthe organs of flowering plants; then considers the natural groups, 
-leginning with algee (Spirogyra and Vaucheria being used as types), 
passes at once to the bryophytes, pteridophytes, and sperma- 
ilytes, paying increasing attention to groups as the advance is made. 
The theory of presentation is of course to cultivate the habit of pro- 
ft observation with those large plant organs that are commonly 
town; in other words, to proceed from the complex to the simple. 
To many botanists this position will seem untenable. In the writer's 
‘iperience the best results have been obtained by presenting the plant 
-{ngdom from the standpoint of its evolution, beginning with units of 
' Sticture and function. Besides this, the morphology of the flower 1s 
; agg of conception except by approaching it by way of the lower 
ps. 
Another question that can be raised concerning the book is the very 
“ant attention it pays to thallophytes. Few types, well selected, 
“always to be preferred in elementary work to that large array of 
which is so common, forms which stamd as so many isolated 
in and when observed, and sketched, and lectured upon are a5 bar- 
Sasandbank. Too many types are confusing, but surely it would 
. Not been well to have introduced some of the great groups of fungi. 
a single reference even to the existence of such plants occurs, 8° far 
“We have observed! 
: these, however, are questions which concern the t 
: “tag of the individual teacher. The teachers who use 
€y will be many, will need to make a judicious s¢ 
But om the pages. Blessed is he who knows what to leave out! © 
the book is certain to be a very useful one. It 1s 4 long step 1m 
Sy of anything we have for high schools. Professor gino 
| ed upon his book and the scientific spirit whien F 
: Mh =e Some antiquated references which ought to be corrected A 
Rd Ving ion. Bower’s Practical Botany is referred to got: 
lina 3 * + + Parts I and II,” when they have long been a: 
2 one volume and Dr. Vines’ name has been withdrawn. 
heory and 
it, and we 
lection of 
