1899] CURRENT. LITERATURE 73 
are numerous, and oné of the features of the book is the series of marginal 
illustrations of essential structures opposite each description. Just how easy 
this will make the determination of species in these perplexing groups can 
be known only after experience. It is a question whether anything in clear- 
ness has been gained by substituting ear and earlet for spike and spikelet— 
J.M.C 
A NEW NATURE READER has been provided by Kate Louise Brown, 
under the title Zhe plant baby and its friends3 While the title suggests that 
the author has concerned herself with plant seedlings, a reading shows that 
the adult plant has received most consideration. Facts concerning many 
common plants are presented in the form of stories intended to be used as 
supplementary matter with younger children ; and for such purpose the book 
should find a place. _ Some objectionable features of many books intended to 
assist children in nature study are happily absent from this book. Among 
these may be mentioned the treatment of fertilization and nomenclature. The 
stories concerning pollination are told in such an interesting way that even 
the youngest pupils should be interested. In some cases attempts at color- 
ing as well as attempts at drawing lessons in morals from the plants studied 
have done violence to the facts, and the unfounded story of Egyptian mummy 
wheat is told once more. But aside from a few such errors it should be said 
that the plan and spirit of the book will make it very helpful with younger 
pupils —Ort1s W. CaLpwELL. : 
FREDERICK LERoy SARGENT has produced an interesting little book 
for young people entitled Ze corn plants, their uses and ways of life® Of 
Course the phrase “corn plants”’ means cereals. The first pages are devoted 
to the mythology of the cereals, embracing the stories of classical antiquity to 
which allusions are so frequent in more modern literature. 
___ For the botanist the chief interest is found in those pages which discuss 
the ecological adaptations of these important plants: A great deal of atten- 
Hon 'S 8lven to such"questions as protection against wind, weight, and excesses 
of moisture and dryness, several new drawings illustrating the structures which 
ra the plants in these respects. Few plants seem to be more interesting 
ze the ecological standpoint, when one considers that they are grown in 
Posed places, absolutely unassisted by close relation with other plants 
€ to modify the effect of the wind or the sunlight. | ; 
Peis section on the advantages of cereals as food-plants the author 
resting descriptions of the methods of using céreals and the extent 
Cie plant baby and its friends. 8vo. pp. 155. Boston: Silver, Burdett & 
Y- 1899. 48 cents, 
6 - 
wo plants, their uses and ways of lifé. 8vo. pp. v-+106. figs. 32 
Oughton, Mifflin & Company; 1899. 75 cents. aes 
