CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS. 
Plant Life.* 
THIs is the suggestive title of a new text-book of elementary botany, for 
its standpoint is function rather than structure. There can be no question as 
to the usefulness of the book, and as to its value as a contribution to our: 
botanical texts. The style is clear and simple; the presentation is very 
logical; and many things are said which needed to be said. Teachers apart 
from the universities are in constant danger of holding to abandoned views, 
and a book is needed now and then to bring a rapidly developing subject up 
to date. 
The book before us has done this service admirably, and its four parts 
present a clear elementary statement of present views of the vegetative body, 
physiology, reproduction, and ecology. This division of the subject enables 
the author to present these great subjects continuously, without breaking 
them up into fragments, and the comparative view thus becomes very promi- 
nent. 
Only less commendable is the comparative and separate presentation of 
vegetative and sexual reproduction, which are in great danger of being con- 
fused in elementary instruction. In this part it was necessary to adopt some 
consistent terminology. How successful the author’s suggestions will prove 
remains to be seen ; they certainly could not be simpler. 
Five appendices give information as to laboratory study, collecting and 
preserving material, apparatus and reagents, reference books, and an outline 
of classification, 
signori Cartes Rer.—Plant life, considered with special reference to form 
and function. Pp. x + 428, with frontispiece and 415 figures. New York: Henry 
Holt & Co. $1.12, 
280 [ocToBER 
