CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS. 
A text-book of general botany. 
THE MAKING of a book is now looked upon as almost reprehensible, and 
the writer is mentally challenged by his fellows to show valid reason for its 
publication. The new Zext-book of general botany* must answer this chal- 
lenge, which is the more peremptory in view of the large claim made by a 
title devoid of any limitatjon. 
We turn to the preface to learn what the author has to say in justifica- 
tion of his book and the standards by which he wishes it judged. We are 
told that “the work is intended as an introduction to the study of botany”; 
and that ‘the text is based upon the laboratory work required of beginners 
at Columbia of which it is but an exposition, being supplemented by an 
extended course of lectures and prescribed reading.” —_ In view of its intro- 
ductory character, would it not have been well to select a title less compre- 
hensive, one by which the book might be more justly designated ? 
The statement regarding the relation of the book to the work prescribed 
for beginners in Columbia University is of much interest from a pedagogical 
standpoint. In order to understand this, it must be said, that, after present- 
ms group of facts, Dr. Curtis gives general directions for laboratory exami- 
nation of plants illustrating them. Accompanying this ‘s a list of reference 
books, in which, presumably the prescribed reading is assigned. The labor- 
atory outlines cover the subjects of histology, physiology, and morphology, 
and involve the use of material in large amount, which, we infer from the 
preface, each student is expected to collect and prepare for himself. We are 
utterly unable to reconcile this amount of work with the amount of time 
allotted for its performance, viz., two mornings per week for one year——at 
most 300 hours! Dr. Curtis must have students with extraordinary powers "3 
of accomplishing work if Za/f that here laid out is really done in a year. 
Does he realize that he has called for nearly sixty histological preparations, 
thirty physiological experiments, and a more or less complete morpho- 
‘ical examination of about one hundred plants? In this reckoning we have 
'ncluded as two plants such a direction as this: 
Uhece Ee RRRON C.: A text-book of general botany. Large 8vo. pp- viii+ 
> NSS. 87. New York: Longmans, Green & Co, 1897. : 
1898 ] ye 
