1900 ] CURRENT LITERATURE 133 
primary classification is on the basis of soil, as follows: trees preferring to grow 
near water (in swamps and by running streams); trees preferring to grow in 
moist soil (lowlands and meadows); trees preferring to grow in rich soil (for- 
ests and thickets); trees preferring to grow in sandy or rocky soil (hillsides 
and barrens); trees preferring to grow in light or dry soil (upland places, 
meadows, and roadsides). The arrangement within these five sections is on 
the basis of leaf characters, The illustrations in color are from originals 
painted by Mrs. Rowan, and are both artistic and accurate. The pen-and-ink 
sketches are not so well done, but they are very helpful in determinations. 
In the technical description of trees, and in what may be styled the literary 
appendix to each, the author is on safe ground ; but in the pages on “ the 
growth of trees” the statements become ancient in form, vague, and some- 
times €troneous. The meaning can be caught by one familiar with the sub- 
ject, but to the untrained the explanations do not explain. 
Harriet L. KEELER has also written a most attractive book on trees.‘ 
It is designed to enable the amateur botanist and the general public to recog- 
nize trees and so become interested in them. The book is straightforward 
= matter-of-fact, and is calculated to develop a rational rather than a senti- 
mental or literary interest in trees. The descriptions are clear and simple, 
oe accompanying remarks in the main have to do with range, time of 
general appearance, notable habits, uses, etc. The illustrations from 
photographs are as perfect as any we have seen, being exceptionally fine 
se of photography and half-tone reproduction. Every detail stands 
tie ips the distinctness of the original specimens. The same high com- 
pnt FAnnot be given to the drawings and their reproduction, which are 
*P Contrast with the exquisite half tones. As in all such books, one finds 
Ps a and profuse terminology, which has largely outlived its use- 
SS. 
Ra aay books can be commended to ‘the general public and to teachers 
*8 for suggestions of interesting material.—J. M. C 
MINOR NOTICES. 
<— 195, 196, and 197 of Engler and Prantl’s Die natiirlichen 
of the are have recently appeared. The first contains the completion 
the a niace and the Marsiliacee by R. Sadebeck and the beginning of 
contain . by G. Bitter. Fascicles 196 and 197,a double number, 
Lindau, ' Sphaeropsidales, Melanconiales, and Hyphomycetes, by G. 
‘KE 
Study of ay Harrier L.: Our native trees, and how to identify them; a popular 
et habits and their peculiarities, with 178 illustrations from photographs 
and 162 illustrat : 
a. i i : Charles Serib- 
REr’s Sons. 1990, thes drawings. 8vo. pp. xxii+ 533. New York : Charles 
