362 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ NOVEMBER 
topic, plants as motives in art is discussed, and such unusual botanical sub- 
jects are introduced as plants in tapestries, sculpture, painting and poetry. 
This last chapter is not without its value, even for botanists, especially nowa- 
days when people are laying so much stress on the interrelationships of all 
subjects.— HENRY C. COWLES. 
MINOR NOTICES. 
AN EXCELLENT SERVICE has been rendered the collector of fleshy fungi 
by Mr. C.G. Lloyd® in the publication of a twenty-two page pamphlet on the 
American Volvz. There are included 38 species of Amanita, 12 of Volvaria 
and one of Chitonia. The necessity for much field study and close, critical 
work is evident from the author’s statement that in the genus Amanita there 
are in this country five common species, nine occasionally found and definitely 
known, and twenty-four that are either doubtful identifications of European 
species or only recorded by the discoverer, many being described from dried 
specimens sent to Europe tor that purpose. 
The author gives concise diagnostic characters for each species, with many 
helpful notes, and in another place gives the full description for all species 
not found in Stevenson’s British Fungi. The author evidently had in mind 
_ the encouragement of inexperienced collectors, and such will find that many 
of their difficulties have been anticipated ; but the omission of the authority 
for the Latin name seems an unnecessary and inconvenient concession. 
One is surprised to learn that the author does not approve of the applica- 
tion of the Rochester rules to cryptogams, and thinks that ‘it would result 
in an endless confusion in regard to nomenclature, and retard the study fifty 
years.” In a work intended for assistance in field study, where the most 
familiar names serve best, it is doubtless only necessary to follow the pees 
prominent authorities; but critical monographic study requires the applica- 
tion of the Rochester or similar rules, if reasonable stability is ever to be 
attained.—J. C. A. 
A List of the spermatophytes and pteridophytes of the Upper Susque: 
hanna region has been published by Mr. Willard N. Clute.? This volume “IS 
art of a general plan for an extended study of the flora about the head- 
waters of the Susquehanna river.” It seems that this is the first compilation 
of the flora of the region, although a number of well-known botanists have 
been interested in it at various times. The author promises to record 
sequent observations in annual supplements, recognizing the fact that the list 
¢ 
*Lioyp, C. G.—A compilation of the Volvz of the United States. 8vo- PP» eee ae 
Cincinnati, 1898. 9 ill. from photographs. : : oe 
LUTE, WILLARD NELsoNn: Flora of the Upper Susquehanna and its tributaries 
pp. xix-+ 142-++x. Binghamton, N. Y.: Willard N. Clute & Co. 1898. rs 
