280 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
nation ; objections to the physical theory of staining; chromatin and the 
fundamental doctrines of staining. Here again experiments upon substances 
of known chemical composition,occupy a large part of the space. 
Part III deals with the structure of protoplasm. Spindles, centrosomes, 
and radiations are thoroughly discussed and artificial figures are compared 
with those occurring normally. Chromatin is treated in the paragraphs on 
granules. The various theories of the structure of protoplasm, as the granula 
theory, the network theory, the filar theory, and the foam-structure theory, art 
critically reviewed.—CuaAs. J. CHAMBERLAIN. 
Knuth’s Handbook. 
STUDENTS of the interrelations between plants and their pollinators, con- 
stituting a branch of what the Germans call “ biology,” and what Americans 
are coming to call “ecology,” have learned their first lessons in large part 
from Christian Konrad Sprengel, once rector of the Lutheran Stadtschule at 
Spandau, Charles Darwin, and Hermann Miiller, late Professor in the Real- 
schule at Lippstadt. Some years since, Sprengel’s book, « Das entdeckte 
-Geheimnis der Natur im Bau und in der Befruchtung der Blumen,” ws 
reissued by Professor Paul Knuth, of the Ober-Realschule at Kiel; and - 
English translation of Miiller’s ‘“Befruchtung der Blumen” has brought his 
work within reach of many persons not familiar with the German language. 
It appears that the original edition is no longer procurable, 
Knuth set himself the task of revising and reissuing it. 
branch of science has been so great in the last quarter century, bowers? 'g 
he has found it better to write an independent work,° based on Miller 
writings, but brought up to date. os 
For reasons not perfectly clear to the uninitiated, this has been divided 
into three parts: an introduction and bibliography, pollination i 
in Europe and the arctic region, and extra-European Sst escab 
of flowers. The first two volumes are now issued, in three parts, ae : 
comprehensive index. The third volume is announced as in course © igs 
ration, and will be received with no little satisfaction on its completion ‘ a 
lines of botanical work are so fascinating or so accessible to the beginn me 
pollination studies, and with this book before him he should be able 
to sift the known from the new in his observations, so that the a much 
added to the former in suitable published form. It is doubtless pt st 
hope for an English translation, but the absence of one Is gre patt 
indication of the urgent need of a working knowledge ot Ce ee 
_ of every student ambitious to distinguish himself in modern scien aon 
—WILLIAM TRELEASE. Her 
yon Her 
SKNuTH, PAUL: Handbuch der Blutenbiologie unter Zugrandeleg nas 
manu Miiller’s Werk, “ Die Befruchtung der Blumen durch Insekten. a | 
Leipzig. 1898-9. 
