188] CURRENT LITERATURE 369 
with alarge centrally situated cell that divides into two. Of these two cells, the lower 
develops into the egg cell, or oosphere; the upper develops into a tube which becomes 
fled with a mucilaginous substance that is afterwards discharged, leaving the passage 
tothe oosphere open. 
More distant from the sinus of the prothallium are the an¢heridia, situated among 
tie root hairs. In these spirally coiled antherozoids are developed, being finally dis- 
_ tharged by the rupture of the cell wall. Accompanying each antherozoid is a small 
will, the use of which is not understood. Each antherozoid is provided with cilia, by 
neans of which it swims about when the prothallium is wet. It may in this way pass 
other prothallia, where, by fertilizing the oosphere, a hybrid variety is produced 
Two groups of plants included here are Aeferosporous, 7. é., they have two kinds 
if spores, female macrospores and male microspores (p. 186 
_ The plant is the sporophyte (the spermatophytes). There are two kinds of 
‘pres, microspores or pollen grains, and macrospores borne in embryo sacs (p. 205). 
The feature that especially distinguishes the spermaphytes from the plants of 
the seven preceding subdivisions is the production of true seeds, which are the result 
of the fertilization of the embryo cell by the receipt of the contents of the pollen cell. 
Theembryo cell is borne in a pistil (p. 206). 
The ovules are borne in closed cavities, the ovaries, at the base of prstils, which 
_ modified leaves; the pollen cells are borne in anth aised on stamens; which are 
- a modified leaves (p. 218 
The contents of the pollen grain now mingle with those of the embryo sac, and 
the life of the seed commences (p. 219). 
Some plants develop their leaves alternately; others develop them in pairs. From 
by have arisen a division of the an giosperms (into monocotyls and dicotyls) 
bg above quotations need no comment, and could some of the illustra- 
Well be reproduced the same remark would be appropriate, although some 
: mktown and classic illustrations help the general average.—]. M. C. 
Essays on plant life. 
: a NLAR books about plants are few. Accurate and interesting books 
: % Hants are rare indeed. We justly welcome, therefore, a book, embody- 
: we an Malities, which has lately been issued by Dr. cf Ce. Arthur His aa 
“Heong. 2? 284 Dr. D. T. McDougal of the University of Minn 
ers by the two authors 
pts of twelve : b 
essays, selected in equal num 
; : last few years. 
hppa addresses and articles presented within the ape 
— been more or less modified to adapt them to each Seccade 7 
Saye botanical knowledge. It will not be amiss to quote the titles of t 
indicate in a measure the compass of the book. 
*AR 
llega J. C., and MacDovaat, D. T.—Living plants @ 
*ioneapol - €ssays. Small 8vo., pp. x + 234. /igs- 28: New Yo 
8: Morris & Wilson. 1898. 
nd their properties ; 
rk; Baker & Taylor. 
