1897 | CURRENT LITERATURE 121 
so that he can get it all together and not incur the danger of missing it in his 
researches. 
A word must be said in reference to the illustrations, chiefly because they 
have received some unfavorable comment. The GAZETTE has not been 
trained to believe in poor illustrations, but it also recognizes the limitations in 
these matters. Very numerous small cuts, printed with the text, are not to 
be criticised from the standpoint of lithographic plates. In our judgment, the 
cuts in this book serve their purpose admirably. They are convenient in 
position and in most cases are fully suggestive. It is a wonder that such an 
amount of illustration can be possible in a book of such low price. In look- 
ing over certain groups with which we are somewhat familiar, we can appre- 
ciate the suggestiveness of the cuts, as giving definite representations of 
Statements in the text that may not give a clear impression. 
Another volume, containing the rest of the Sympetalae, will complete the 
work.— J. M.C 
The Synoptical Flora.> 
THE prompt appearance of another fascicle of the polypetalous orders of 
this great work is a gratification to students of American botany. In 1878 
and 1884 the two parts including all the gamopetalous orders were issued. 
These parts were reissued in 1886 by the eee Institution, making a 
volume of nearly 1000 pages. After the death of Dr. Gray the work was . 
carried on by Dr. Sereno Watson, and then aa his successor, Dr. B. L. 
Robinson. Under Dr. Robinson’s editorship the first fascicle of Polypetala 
(Ranunculaceze to F rankeniacez) was issued in 1895, containing much that 
was left in manuscript by Drs. Gray and Watson. The present fascicle also 
Contains work left in manuscript by Dr. Gray (portions of Portulacacee, 
Elatinacee, Ternstreemiacez, Cheiranthodendrez, most of Malvacez, Ster- 
culiacee, Tiliaceze, Malpighiacez, Zygophyllacez, most of Rutacez, Simaru- 
acew, Burseracew, Anacardiacez, Meliacee, Cyrillacee, and Olacinee). 
Linacex, Geraniacez, Aquifoliace, Celastraceze, and Rhamnacee are pre- 
sented by Dr. Trelease: Vitacez by Professor Bailey; and Hypericacez 
by Dr. Coulter. In addition to the great burden of editing, Caryophyllacee, 
Ficoidee, Tamariscinez, Sapindacee and Polygalacez fell to Dr. Robinson, 
besides certain genera in some of the families presented by Dr. Gray. 
‘ he general spirit of this work is sufficiently well known to need no fur- 
*GRay, Asa.—Synoptical Flora of North America. Vol. Part I. Fascicle 
2. Caryophyllacez to Polygalacez. Continued and edited ats ‘Paapadate LINCOLN 
ROBINSON, with the collaboration of William Trelease, John Merle Coulter, and 
Liberty Hyde Bailey. Pp. 207-506. New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago: American 
Book Compan any. Cambridge, Mass.: Cambridge Botanical Supply Company. Lon 
don : William Wesley & Son. Leipsic: Oswald Weigel. $2.60. 
