z 
1903] CURRENT LITERATURE 393 
he is inclined to side with Bérgesen. The Faeroes certainly have a flora of 
recent origin, thus contrasting with the Azores and Canaries, where endem- 
ism is to be found. While Warming accepts Ostenfeld’s strictures in the 
matter of seed dispersal by birds and ocean currents, he thinks that wind is 
an adequate transporting factor. The fauna and geological considerations 
seem to unite against the land-bridge theory. Warming says that he is 
more inclined now than ever before to believe in the efficiency of wind as an 
agent for scattering seeds over great distances. A third and final part of 
this valuable work is promised for the near future.— H. C, CowLes. 
Two text-books on agriculture. 
AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS, by Burkett, Stevens, and Hill? forms a 
small but very attractive volume, designed as a text-book in agriculture for 
the public schools. The subject-matter of the book is divided into nine 
chapters, each dealing with a subdivision of agriculture or related sciences, 
as: soil, diseases of plants, domestic animals, etc. If, as the authors believe, 
“agriculture is an eminently teachable subject” and should be taught in 
public schools, this book forms an excellent introduction to the subject. It is 
written in clear style and is remarkably free from errors which usually find 
their way into works dealing with such heterogeneous subjects as the so-called 
science of agriculture. Moreover, the excellent typography and numerous 
artistic illustrations make the little book unusually attractive. In a few 
cases it would seem that subjects are not treated in just proportion to their 
relative importance. Thus, the discussion of drainage of the soil is limited 
almost to bare statements of the effects of draining, without sufficient expla- 
nation to make them clear. On the other hand, two whole chapters are 
devoted to descriptions of specific fungous diseases and insect enemies, 
although these are hardly germane to the subject. The authors inform us 
that the chapter on dairying, in which accidentally were included several 
miscellaneous sections, has been properly rearranged in later impressions. 
The other volume, entitled Agriculture for the common schools, comes 
from the pen of James B. Hunnicutt. While this book contains an abun- 
dance of wholesome ethical advice and perhaps some good practical hints for 
the farmer, its absolute lack of scientific accuracy should preclude its use in 
the schoolroom. Aside from the general ignorance of natural phenomena 
displayed throughout the book, such flagrant errors as the following are 
common : “Each of these [roots] carries a little soft point called spongiole on 
the tip, and through this constantly absorbs or drinks in the water from the 
earth.” ‘Some of these elements, such as carbon dioxid and hydrogen, were 
? BURKETT, C. W., STEVENS, F. L., and HIL1, D. H., Agriculture for beginners. 
pp. i+ 267. fgs. 215. Boston: Ginn & Co. 1903. $0.85. 
3HUNN T, J. B., Agriculture for the common schools. pp. viii +225. 
Atlanta: on Calivato Publishing Co. 1903. 
