1906] CURRENT LITERATURE 75 
Much attention is given to collecting and keeping material alive in the lab- 
oratory. K1EBs’s method of securing reproductive phases in algae and fungi is 
presented in a practical manner. Specific directions are given for making such 
preparations as are needed by teachers and by those who wish to get a compre- 
hensive view of the plant kingdom from the lowest to the highest forms. The 
book will be useful to those who wish to keep in touch with modern microtech- 
nique.—W. J. G. LAND. 
Bibliographical index of North American fungi. 
THE compilation of a bibliographical index of North American fungi by 
FARLOWS is one of the most serviceable tasks ever undertaken in the interests of 
American systematic mycology, and the publication of it by the Carnegie Institu- 
tion one of its best contributions to the promotion of botany. The work is the 
' outgrowth of an effort to bring together references to all North American species 
in the form of a card catalogue. This was begun in 1874, at a time when there 
was no complete record of the species known from North America. Within a 
few years of its inception Mr. A. B. SeyMour was entrusted with the details of 
this herculean labor, under Dr. Farlow’s direction, and his painstaking fidelity 
is worthy of recognition. 
It is the aim of the work to include all references having any bearing on the 
taxonomy of fungi occurring in countries north of the Isthmus of Panama, the 
scope of the original plan (which was restricted to the region north of Mexico) 
having been greatly extended, on account of the close connection of species from 
our southern border with those of Mexico, Central America, and the East Indies. 
References to works of purely morphological, cytological, and sui 
interest have been excluded; so have purely popular accounts, unless Ww 
of use in giving divination of the species or in furnishing good inns. 
In nomenclature the work is conservative. The principle of adopting the oldest 
specific name has been generally followed. Where the vagueness of older descrip- 
tions has made it uncertain to what stn they applied the writers have had no 
scruples in rejecting the older n 
The index itself is arranged ‘aiphaetically The names are printed in bold- 
face type, synonyms and cross references being in italics. The citations, arranged 
in chronological order under each name, follow the form adopted by the Madison 
Botanical Congress in 1893 and by Section G, A.A.A.S. in 1894. In many cases 
of confused synonomy, critical examinations were made of authentic specimens 
and the related literature. Notes of interest obtained thus are added under the 
Species in question. The present part, which is part I of the first volume, includes 
names from Abrothallus to Badhamia.—H. HASSELBRING. 
S Fartow, W. G., Bibliographical index of North American fungi. Vol. J, 
part 1. 8vo. pp. xxxv+312. Washington: Carnegie Institution. 1905. 
