Reviews and Book Notices. 435 
The drawings are made with unusual accuracy as regards both 
colour and form. These are reproduced by the three-colour 
process, which, with the exception of a slight preponderance of 
purple, represents the drawings very faithfully. From the 
decorative point of view, however, the illustrations are unusually 
valuable, and we can strongly recommend them to art students. 
From the arrangement and method of portrayal it is evident 
that the artist-authoress has intended that every advantage shall 
be given to the beauties of our flora from the point of view of 
design and decoration. In the seemingly careless arrangement 
of flowers, and in the apparently accidental twist of the stalks 
or tendrils, it is clear that every effort has been made to 
secure the greatest artistic effect from the subjects drawn. But 
beyond their success as pictures, the plates are unusually useful 
to the botanical student for the ease with which they enable the 
different species to be recognised. Towards this end the plants 
are classified, and at once show the resemblances to and the 
differences between the various species. Occasional drawings 
of parts of the flower, etc., facilitate this. With regard to the 
letterpress there is an exceedingly modest preface ; then some 
‘ descriptions of botanical terms,’ which are followed by clear and 
accurate descriptions of the various plants, 
In the fourth volume before us is a work alike useful to 
student of animals or plants. It is a scholarly treatise, and as 
might be expected from the President of the Quekett Micro- 
scopical Club, is written by one who has made a special study 
of the subject with which he deals. In his previous works 
dealing with Photomicrography and Bacteriology respectively, 
Mr. Spitta gave evidence of the thoroughness of his work. In 
‘Microscopy,’ however, he can safely be said to have excelled 
himself in his regard for treatment of even the smallest details 
of microscopical research. His knowledge of the various 
lenses and parts of the microscope is unrivalled, and of this the 
full benefit is given to readers of ‘ Microscopy.’ Every possible 
detail of microscopic work is described in a way which at once 
shows that the author is giving the information from practical 
experience, and not from second-hand and antiquated sources. 
The volume is illustrated by no fewer than 241 blocks in the 
text, and by 41 half-tone reproductions from original negatives. 
These latter largely deal with the structures of diatoms as 
revealed by different powers and appliances. It goes without 
saying that the publisher, Mr. John Murray, has done his share 
of the work well. 
1907 December 1. 
