corrected in the plates) the book is the freest 
CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS. 
A primary reader. 
THE revolution which the teaching of reading has undergone in late years 
demands books which shall not only provide exercise for the vocal cords, 
but also interest the pupil and command his attention. For this reason, 
instead of reading selections from the great orators, poets, and dramatists 
before the child can possibly understand or appreciate the subject matter, 
classics for children form the readers of the present day. Along with the 
nature study there has also arisen a demand for books relating to nature 
which can be read in school. Various efforts have been made to supply 
readers containing botanical matter. We have in these pages particularly 
commended the two books of selections by Miss Newell, which are admirably 
adapted to pupils in the grammar grades. We have before us a book which 
is intended for the ey grades. It is Plants and their children, by 
Mrs. William Starr Dana. 
It is not often that the intentions of an author so happily coincide with the 
execution as in this book. It is written in a style that cannot but be attract- 
_ ive to children of the age addressed. They are introduced first to fruits and 
tig then to young plants, and later to buds, leaves, and flowers, in a series 
of short chapters. The matter is not only attractively presented, but, hap- 
pily, it is accurate as to its facts, with very few exceptions. One error, 
which is a-mere accident, and which every child will be able to correct, is the 
ascription of tendrils to the bean (p. 115). Some others occur in the physio- 
logical parts, where also there are some figures of speech which are apt to 
lead to misconception, as, for example, saying that roots suck in water “by 
means of tiny mouths ” (p. 100), and that what this “ broth” ‘really wants is 
pane (p. ree Naturally, when Mrs. Dana attempts to set before her 
see UN enna rm cates wie, NO 
ing only a green plants and gives them a test which hee make all 
hee animals. Regarding the dodder and the mistleto Iso leads 
her readers somewhat astray. a ; 
But aside from these and a few similar ends (wie can readily be 
from e FO any book of the 
* DANA, Mrs. WILLIAM ‘SraRR.— Plants and mae 
Alice Josephine Smith. 12mo. pp. 272. baa 277.  Ameian Book ¢ Co. 19 os a 
