440 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ DECEMBER 
Moreover, the book is far from a review of already published facts. It sets 
before the reader a great number of new investigations of much interest, illus- 
trated by many new figures, whose freshness is as invigorating as a sea breeze. 
To one who restates in better form our old knowledge, and adds so much that 
is new, it is easy to forgive the possible slight distortion of perspective which 
we shall easily escape when at a greater distance from the facts. It is only 
bare justice to recognize in this work a master hand, and to hail it as one of 
the books predestined to become a classic. —C. R. B 
A new school botany. 
Ir is a good sign when university professors interest themselves in sec- 
ondary education. Too often text-books for high schvols have been prepared 
by those who do not know the subject; and it may be further stated that 
occasionally text-books have been prepared by college men who do not 
ools. That happy combination of experience which brings 
together the two kinds of knowledge is demanded for the preparation of such 
books. 
Almost every university will be represented presently by a botanical text- 
book for the secondary schools. In the opinion of the reviewer, the chie 
criticism to offer in reference to most of these books is that they attempt to 
present too great an abundance of material, and also material that is too dif- . 
ficult. It is hard for the average college man to appreciate how unfamiliar 
the material of modern botany is to the young student of the secondary school. 
A rapid succession of facts, all of which are new to his experience, is too apt 
to result in bewilderment rather than knowledge. 
The last candidate in this field is from the pen of Professor Atkinson,’ of 
Cornell University, who shows an appreciation of the situation, and who has 
certainly had a large and successful experience with elementary classes. 
The book is a hard one to criticise, as it is a combination of commendable 
and careless features. Some of the features that should receive warm com- 
mendation are wealth of illustration, short paragraphs with distinct headings, 
originality of presentation, and especially the ecological chapters upon soil 
formation, zonal distribution, and occupation of land. Certainly so many 
commendable features more than justify the publication of the book. 
On the other hand, carelessness of statement and want of logical organiza- 
tion are apparent. This carelessness amounts frequently to error. The lack 
of organization is indicated on the surface by such facts as that the division of 
the book devoted to physiology has received no title and part number, suc 
as have been given to Morphology and Ecology; and that the matter included 
3 ATKINSON, GEORGE FRANCIS.— Elementary Botany. Small 8 vo. pp- xxiii + 
444. figs. 509. New York: Henry Holt & Co. $1.25. : 
