284 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER - 
of which (Vol. V), containing monocotyledons and gymnosperms, appeared in 
1895, 4nd was noticed briefly in the GAZETTE (20: 278. 1895). The long 
delay in the appearance of a second part was due to various reasons, but has 
had its advantages in permitting the authors to include the results of the 
recent extraordinary activity in the study of the African flora. As the 
present volume has been in process of publication since 1895, the authors 
have Wisely indicated the date of publication of the different parts of the 
volume, extending from October 1895 to April 1898. The work is not 
descriptive, but is simply a catalogue of described species, with bibliograph- 
ical citations, synonymy, distribution, and occasional critical notes. The 
work will be complete in six volumes of about 500 pages each.— J. M. 
A new botanical text. 
A RECENT French work,+ which is a valuable contribution to botanical 
texts, iS that of Professor L. Courchet, of the School of Pharmacy at Mont- 
pellier- The author purposes only to write a treatise for the use of students 
in the Professional schools of France, which seem to demand mainly work with 
spermatophytes. The first part is devoted to the general morphology (in the 
old sense) of spermatophytes, and a second much larger part to a systematic 
description of the natural families. The most striking feature is the unusual 
space given to the dicotyledons, a proportionate space unequaled in any 
English text we have seen. Thallophytes are given 130 pages of amply illus- 
trated text, to bryophytes are allotted 12, pteridophytes are presented in 44 
pages, While spermatophytes occupy 1540 pages, 1356 of which are devoted 
to the dicotyledons. Such a distribution of space in a general text must 
make the plant kingdom seem like a huge mushroom to the observing stu- 
dent. The text throughout is accompanied by good illustrations, and the 
keys and summaries which accompany each family are worked out with great 
completeness.— J. G. COULTER. 
The study of lichens. 
‘THIS group has few special students in America, and certainly receives 
but little attention from amateurs. As lichens are found almost everywhere, 
they would speedily attract collectors and students if some suitable book were 
provided as an introduction. Such a book Dr. Schneiders has prepared, 
stating that it “is especially written and arranged for the use of amateurs in 
the study of lichens.” Just how useful it will prove remains to be seen, but 
we wish it all the success that its purpose deserves. The author’s general 
4COURCHET, L.— Traité de Botanique. 2 vols. 8 vo. pp. viii +1320. figs: 5/# 
Paris: J. 8, Bailliere et fils. 1897. /r. 12. 
SSCHNEIDER, ALBERT.—A guide to the study of lichens. Small 8vo. pp- xii + 
234, pl. 47, Boston: Bradlee Whidden. 1898. 
