382 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
tion has scarcely had a single piece of purely physiological apparatus in its 
outfit during the whole time. The institution I refer to by no means stands 
alone in the matter. There are others holding the same conception of phys- 
iology. The fact in regard to the matter is that there are still some botanists 
who insist in calling the study of the structure of a stem or leaf, or the mount- 
ing of a slide, etc., physiology. 
“ Physiology as treated by such eminent physiologists as Foster, Bow- 
ditch, Ludwig, DuBois Reymond and others, implies function, and I cannot 
understand how a botanist can even have looked into the text-books of Vines, 
Sachs, Pfeffer, Frank, and others, without obtaining a similar conception. 
Inasmuch as physiological botany concerns itself with function, it is essential 
that any extensive course in this branch must be preceded by a fairly good 
course in anatomy and histology. I believe, however, that in every elemen- 
tary branch of botany the function of the plant should be taken into consid- 
eration. 
‘‘For a practical course in physiology considerable apparatus is needed. 
This is generally expensive, and when imported not always satisfactory from 
the American idea of machinery. Much of the apparatus can be constructed 
in the laboratory, providing a good set of tools is at hand. Much time is 
saved by having the apparatus all ready to put together at short notice, and 
for this purpose it is necessary to have a good stock of glassware on hand, 
which should be fitted up for the various experiments.” 
The whole article is as practical and incisive as the few sentences quoted 
indicate, and merits the attention of botanical teachers.—J. C. A. 
Work ON the North American mosses proceeds steadily from the her- 
barium of Columbia University. The last paper is ““A Revision of the North 
American Isotheciacee and Brachythecia,” by A. J. Grout.t Of the quality of 
such work only one who goes over it critically can judge ; but one has every 
reason to accept this as a real contribution to the knowledge of these mosses, 
and the more since the author had the benefit of the advice and the sugges- 
tions of Mrs. E. G. Britton. 
Mr. Grout adopts Extodon for our species of Cylindrothectum and Platy- 
gyrium, Pylaisiella for Pylaisia, Holmgrenia for Orthothecium; removes 
cae ame list of 
Homalothecium from the Isotheciacez ; and drops Jsothecium from the MSt 
North American genera. Various changes are made in the list of spores 
both as to nomenclature and their presence in this country. Over most of 
these we breathe a sigh of relief, particularly over those affecting the names 
ecently published by Kindberg and C. Miller. Through these the author 
cuts a wide swath. Four, only, stand ; the list of synonyms contains no i 
than twenty-seven names by these authors, seventeen by Kindberg aces 
* Reprinted as a doctor’s thesis from Mem. Torr. Bot. Club 6: 131-20 saehe 
