1894. ] 
Current Literature. . 419 - 
A compendium of general botany. 
This book is really a wonder considered from a literary standpoint. 
It is neat, precise and up to date. One is surprised to find how much 
has heen condensed in so little space. The author has intended it to 
serve as a guide to the German high school pupils. It ought to serve 
asimilar purpose in this country, but according ,to the present cur- 
riculum of studies it will be found very useful in our colleges and uni- 
versities. 
The arrangement of the subject matter is scientifically correct. 
Part 1, comprising forty-two pages, treats of the cell, part 11 of tissues. 
and single organs, part 111 of systems of organs, part 1v of reproduc- 
tion. This is the most interesting part. Here are explained and 
| ; compared, as in no other textbook, the rotation of gametophytic and 
sporophytic generations in mosses, vascular cryptogams and phanero- 
__ sams. Part v treats of the physics and chemistry of plant life, and 
Patt vi, comprising six pages, of plant classification. 
_ The author’s style is simple yet cleat, and scientific. It is not 
‘Intended asa book for “ recreative”’ reading. The chapter on the 
general physiology of reproduction is perhaps too deep for the aver- 
age high school pupil. 
The original figures are excellent. ‘The others are well selected 
from the works of the best authors.—A. SCHNEIDER. 
Minor Notices. 
THE FOSSIL PLANTS of the Bozeman, Montana, coal fields are listed, 
mth annotations, by Mr. F. H. Knowlton in bulletin 105, U. S. Geo- 
logical Survey. 
PROFESSOR A. S, HircHcock’s “ Key to spring flora of Manhattan, =~ 
ansas]” is intended to enable beginners to name the angiosperms 
of that Vicinity. ; 
Directions For DESCRIBING a flowering plant, i.e. a “scheme for — 
Plant “analysis”, based on Gray’s “Lessons,” have been prepared by 
PL. Sargent and published by the Cambridge Botanical Supply Co. 
ir ape OF the Sphagna, parasitic fungi, and liverworts, collected me 
tls §. 
ese 
“epg The list will accompany the sets of specimens as 
distrib- 
1 . A ae acl 
én Westenwater, Max.—Kompendium der allgemeinen Botanik fiir ccm 
lang. PP. 309. figs. 171. Freiberg in Breisgau Herder'sche ¥ 
