CURRENT LITERATURE. 
A Californian Manual.* 
It has long been recognized that the flora of the Pacific coast isa 
wonderfully rich one, and that detailed exploration is almost daily 
bringing to light new plant forms. It has also been a matter of regret 
that no handy manual brought even an outline knowledge of this flora 
within reach of those to whom botanical libraries are not accessible, 
The “ Botany of California,” in two large volumes, is a monument to 
the generosity of certain citizens of that state, and it formed a fitting 
foundation for study; but it is both costly and hard to get, and is now 
far from expressing our knowledge. Keen collectors have been plen- 
tiful upon the Pacific coast, and it seemed hardly worth while to pre- 
pare a manual which must of necessity be incomplete before tt could 
get through the press. The most indefatigable student of this flora 
has been Professor Greene, as his numerous publications will testify. 
His “Flora Franciscana,” appearing in parts, is already well know? 
and now he has presented a manual of the same region for the benefit 
of the schools and colleges, and all students desiring “to make a 
beginnings in the systematic botany of middle western California 
But nine counties are included, and ninety natural orders of flowering 
plants, the sedges and grasses being notable omissions, and the indi 
cations are that a complete manual of the whole state would be a huge 
affair. The author’s purpose is most commendable, and we do bt 
doubt that the book will bea great boon to beginning students in the “a 
“Bay-Region.” Besides, no botanist has so intimate a knowledge of ; 
the flora of the region presented, and hence no one is SO well fitted (0 ; 
act as guide. 4 
Our only criticism is from the standpoint of the professional be 
anist. Professor Greene says that “there is much that is new fort 
bibliographer and the nomenclator within these pages;” also ie : 
“this feature will not in the least affect the usefulness of the manu@ 7 3] 
a book for beginners;” but that “the inconvenience will be re : 
only by the experienced botanist.” We heartily agree with all three — 
here is veY 
: ; in 
much that is new for the bibliographer, and it 15 
convenient book for the experienced botanist that it has ates 
tune to examine. Knowing how thoroughly the autho ee 
San Frat 
_1GREENE, Epwarp Ler.—Manual of the Botany of the Region e 
cisco Bay. 8vo. pp. xiii, 328. San Francisco, 1894. 
