1849] CURRENT LITERATURE 279 
pmblem. To its solution Dr. W. F. Ganong contributes interesting argu- 
ments in a book elsewhere reviewed. 
Readers of Plant Relations will be impressed by the terse and lucid style. 
Though the utmost condensation has been necessary, the author has pre- 
served a simplicity of language and has attained a degree of accuracy which 
leaves nothing to be desired. The book is also striking in the number and 
beauty of its many illustrations, of which a large part are original. Amon 
the finest ones are those derived from Schimper’s recent treatise, Pfanzen- 
Seographie, 
A very useful pamphlet of twenty pages, embodying suggestions to 
teachers for the use of the book, is designed to accompany it. It contains 
helpful remarks regarding the laboratory and field work which the author 
~ of course, shall be prosecuted as the foundation for the study of 
text, 
Weare sure that live school-teachers will welcome this book because it 
Pesents a new view of the plant world, valuable for instructional purposes 
and hitherto too much overlooked. University teachers will receive it gladly 
because it emphasizes one of the vital aspects of botany, and makes more 
. the crusade against the cut and dried formalism of “analysis.” — 
Cytological technique. 
INVESTIGATIONS upon the structure of protoplasm demand not only 
seme skill in mechanical manipulation but also a knowledge of the prin- 
~ underlying fixing, staining, and other details of microtechnique. A 
meent book hy Dr. Alfred Fischer puts the whole subject of microtechnique 
‘Pon a firmer and more philosophical basis and gives an up-to-date discus- 
So of modern theories of protoplasmic structure.* 
and descr; ai fixing agents, considers in detail the solutions in common use 
bumose their action upon the various cell contents, as peptone, proal- 
» Nucleic acid, nuclein, etc., etc. The numerous experiments with 
' what Ces of known chemical composition should be of value in determining 
© to be regarded as artifacts and what as structural elements of the 
hose engaged in cytological work. : 
ei Pages) is devoted to staining. Both theory and practice 
Ott of the ¢ din detail. Some of the topics are as follows: T he washing 
‘ XINg agent, and its significance in theories of staining ; staining 
taining solutions without differentiation; double staining with 
: Solutions ; Simultaneous double staining with mixed stains ; impreg- 
Themen AUTRED.: Fixirung, Firbung und Bau des Protoplasmas. preg 
Phe ae a sae Technik und Theorie in der neueren Zellforschung. 5V0 P 
‘8S. 21. Leipzig: Gustav Fischer. 1899. 4/11. 
