1898} CURRENT LITERATURE 281 
However admirable the book may be as a general statement of the essen- 
tial facts of botany, it will suggest criticisms from the standpoint of teaching, 
The most important of these the author has forestalled by stating that “ this 
is not a book to be recited.’”’ In the text the same plant is discussed several 
times under different headings, a method that would not commend itself 
either for recitation or for laboratory work, but in the directions for labora- 
tory work all the essential structures are called for while each plant is in 
hand. It is very evident, therefore, that the intelligent teacher is to use the 
book for assigned readings suitable to the material under examination in the 
laboratory and supplementary to it. It is hard for some teachers to get away 
from the idea of the recitation of consecutive pages 
Another criticism will be that the book is better designed for schools as 
they ought to be, than for schools as they are. The author practically con- 
fesses that he is writing for a somewhat ideal condition, and probably he is ; 
certainly for a condition less realized in the east than in the west, where ele- 
mentary instruction in science is so much further advanced. However, it is 
a matter of doubt to the reviewer whether any but the exceptional secondary 
schools will ever be able to do completely such morphological work as this 
book calls for; and also whether it is the most desirable work for them, handi- 
capped as they are by lack of equipment, time, and age. First impressions 
must be correct, but it may not be necessary to include at first recondite 
things even if they are essential. There cannot be too much of ecology and 
physiology in elementary work, but it has seemed to the reviewer that recon- 
dite morphological structures are in danger of being pressed too far with ele- 
mentary students.— J. M. C 
The Illustrated Flora.’ 
WirH the appearance of the third volume this important work is com- 
plete, and the authors should be eh ae eR, its prompt publication, 
the first volume having appeared in 1896. ine one wal peprees 70° 
GAZETTE 22:269. 1896, volume two in 24: 120. 1897, and little need be 
added in reference to the present volume, which contains the great sympetal-" 
ous families. Use of the work has proved its adaptation to the needs of those 
who wish to determine plants, and it should certainly find a place in the 
library of all interested in taxonomy. When it is remembered that 4162 
species are described and illustrated, representing 177 families and 1103 
genera, it is surprising that the illustrations are so well done. The present 
volume, in an appendix, adds the descriptions and illustrations of eighty-one 
2Brr , NATHANIEL Lorp, and Brown, Appison.—An illustrated flora of 
the Notting ities States, Canada and the British Possessions. In three — 
Vol. III. Apocynacese to Composite. 8vo. pp. xiv-+ 588, fully illustrated. New 
_ York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. $3.00. 
