62 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [JULY 
thoroughness in this work, as it gives an opportunity to compare the results of 
the labors of entomologists and mycologists. 
As a piece of book making, the work leaves nothing to be desired. It 
forms the second volume of the Rural Science Series, edited by Professor L. 
H. Bailey of Cornell University —J. C. A. 
A new “‘ Vegetation der Erde.” 
THE CLASSICAL Vegetation der Erde of Grisebach will always be looked 
upon as one of the great books upon the distribution of plants. But 
recent progress has brought to knowledge much of detail which now 
needs to be incarnated in general principles. In brief, such is the plan of 
Professors Engler and Drude. They propose to edit a collection of mono- 
graphs upon the various phases of plant geography under the general title 
Vegetation der Erde, thinking that the time is ripe for at least beginning a 
publication which shall, on the one hand, bring to light the lifelong work of 
some of the older savants, and, on the other, enable younger investigators to 
know what needs to be done and to plan their studies accordingly. 
No definite order for the monographs can be announced, and almost 
entire freedom will be allowed individual contributors in the arrangement of 
their material. Naturally the countries of central and western Europe will 
be the first to be treated, on account of the ‘more thorough study to which 
they have been already subjected. Each monograph will constitute an inde- 
pendent volume, to be published in the German language, by translation, 
if need be, from the native tongue of the author. The editors themselves 
promise some of the general work upon plant geography and plant history, 
together with the special treatment of certain regions. 
Thisis a courageous plan, demanding even more optimism and energy than 
the inception of the great Pfanzenfamilien which is now nearing completion. 
We trust that the senior Proposer, Professor Engler, of Berlin, will be 
enabled to see this materialize, as he has seen his monumental Pflanzenfa- 
milien, Certainly he will have an able coadjutor in Professor Drude © 
Dresden. No one who inspects the tentative outline of the work can fail to 
be impressed with its comprehensiveness. Three sections are suggested 
The first, treating of climatology in its influence upon the distribution of 
plants, the developmental history of floras, and phylogenetic investigations 
upon geologic and biological principles, will naturally be the last to begin. 
bution as illustrated by natural floral regions, 
An editorial in this journal recently * urged students, instead of compil- 
Ing state floras after the usual pattern, to work out carefully the distribution 
‘BOTANICAL GAZETTE 21: 303. May 1896, 
