1894. ] _ Current Literature. 207 
assumed to be an oversight. The chapter on diseases is very inade- 
quate, and betrays a lack of knowledge of the great advances recently 
made in this line of study, especially in America. And one is justly 
suspicious of superficiality in a writer who uses the misnomer “fun- 
goid.” The first chapter contains the common attempt to show anti- 
thesis between animals and plants. The author in saying that “the 
plant, if supplied with the various elements required for its structure 
inthe form of mineral matter, can perform all its various functions,” 
¢tc., while “the animal, on the other hand, requires that all its food 
should be presented to it in the organic form,” forgets or ignores for 
the time being that more than one fourth of all known species of 
plants (fungi) are as dependent upon organic food as are animals: 
ndeed, the fact is recognized a few pages further on, where the au- 
thor says in another connection that “the fungus, in the manner of 
obtaining its food, resembles an animal in so far as it can only live on 
Organic matter.” How long must it be before writers will be able to 
forget the old fallacy of opposite characteristics in animals and plants, 
and come to recognize the unity of the organic world, and emphasize 
the correspondences rather than the antagonisms? 
i Botanical Classics. 
K Wilhelm Engelmann of Leipzig, to whom the botanical world is al- 
Ri Y greatly indebted for bringing out numerous standard treatises, 
undertaken the publication of a uniform series of the most im- 
“ etry older standard works of science under the general title 
upon aig h Klassiker der exakten Wissenschaften, to include works 
‘i we matics, astronomy, physics, chemistry and biology. 
In the = issue of the series is Sprengel’s “Mystery of nature disclosed 
four . and in the fructification of flowers.”! It is issued in 
mirably aq andy volumes, well printed, bound in leatherette, and ad- 
sas ie for perusal or ready reference. ; 
Well en volume is given up to the plates, which are remarkably 
Works are j uced, although somewhat smaller than the originals. The 
that they ea at such a low price, and in such an attractive form, 
tion with gaa greatly stimulate acquaintance of the present genera- 
“ aes early masters of the science. ; 
centennial anniversary of Sprengel’s discoveries makes 
€ of his writings well known to all; and this publica- 
M gry, i : 
: ti °pPortunity to become familiar with his own words. 
Srrexcer, Cu 
Gnd in 
Bay RISTIAN Konrap.—Das entdeckte Geheimniss der Natur im 
P1804 fruchtung der Blumen (1793). 4 vols. 12 mo. pp. wie 
7.25 p 
win tes (Ostwald’s Klass. d. ex. Wiss., Nos. 48, 49, 50 51 
: Leipzig, 1894. M. 2 per volume. 
