306 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
of their real significance and must lead to fruitless results,” is to decry all inves- 
tigation; for that is just what every physiologist in the twentieth century is 
doing. That “physical attributes . . . . can never explain qualities like nutri- 
tion” is a bold prophecy and a most discouraging one, though we be yet far 
from that goal. ‘Strictly physical and chemical processes” are contrasted with 
“strictly vital” ones, in that with the latter it ‘becomes impossible to predict 
what effect a particular cause will produce.” True; but only because we do 
not know enough. Not disclaims “vital force” in terms, but constantly writes 
as though it were a necessary assumption. 
The second part, entitled ‘‘Special botany,” is doubtless the part of the book 
that gives it its deserved rank among texts. It is really and dominantly modern 
morphology as to facts, but not in spirit. It is a well-selected thesaurus of mor- 
phological information, in using which one feels a certain measure of confidence, 
and this is what has made the book indispensable. But the controlling spirit of 
morphology is lacking, because there is no conception of continuity in the p 
kingdom. To an American teacher of botany this means that the facts are 
dumped down in piles, with no attempt to use them in the organization of a 
structure. It is good science, but poor teaching; and that seems to be the general 
method of instruction in German universities. ‘This is not intended as a critiais®, 
but merely as the statement of a distinction. 
“Special botany” comprises ‘‘Crytogams” and “‘Phanerogamia.” 
incongruous forms of the two names, and the perpetuation of the old notion that 
a great chasm is fixed between cryptogams and seed-plants. Through the ctyP- 
ne breathes, 
Note the 
are 170 pages dealing with the details of the classification of “Monocotylae” ae 
““Dicotylae.” And here comes a demand on the German student that ap = 
American teacher with amazement. It simply means that students 1m supe 
and pharmacy are driven into these courses in botany; that it is supposed eg a 
good for them to digest this encyclopedic information about groups tne 
that the German professor of botany cannot dispense with the fees of 
students; and that all German textbooks on botany must contain this dreary 
waste of pages. We would suggest that this German educationa 
should not appear in the English translations, for it needlessly enlarges the 
for American use.—J. M. C. and C. R. B. 
book 
Plant anatomy 
Under this title Srevens has written a book? which deals with the develo?” 
ment and functions of plant tissues. Structure and function are i pro the 
and rightly, that there is no anatomical part of the book as distinct 
of the develop- 
ment and functions of the tissues, and handbook of micro-technic 
* STEVENS, WiLLIaM CHAsE, Plant anatomy, from the —— it ga AEE 
136. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston’s Son & Co. 1907. $2. 7 
