CURRENT LITERATURE. 
BOOK REVIEWS. 
Alaskan cryptogams. 
THE FIFTH volume of the series presenting the scientific results of the Harriman 
Alaskan Expedition is devoted to papers on cryptogams.* It has been prepared 
under the general direction of Dr. William Trelease, who distributed the material 
to specialists and writes an interesting introduction to the volume. Dr. Trelease 
also shares with P. A. Saccardo and C. H. Peck in the section on fungi; the | 
lichens are treated by Miss Clara E. Cummings, with admirably simple keys; 
the algae by DeAlton Saunders; mosses by J. Cardot and I. Thériot; sphagnums 
by C. Warnstorf, whose determinations have been edited by Trelease; the liver- 
worts by A. W. Evans; and the pteridophytes by William Trelease 
Three of these papers, those on algae, mosses, liverworts, have PIGS been 
printed in the Proceedings of the Washington Academy of Sciences. In this 
volume they are reprinted from the same electrotype plates, even to typographical 
errors. The utmost care has been taken to preserve the original pagination and 
plate numbers, so that from this volume the original publication may be quoted— 
a bibliographical precaution which deserves thankful recognition. It would be 
impossible to praise too highly the typographical elegance and beauty of this 
volume. No detail has been overlooked. Paper, letter-press, plates, and bind- 
ing combine to make it an example of the best work of American book-makers. 
And the contents, judging by the reputation of the authors of the various 
papers, is worthy of the perfect dress. About 75 species and 35 subspecies and 
varieties are described as new. Many are illustrated upon the 44 plates, of 
which those for fungi are colored. The clever and artistic head pieces were 
designed by Mr. F. A. Walpole, whose recent untimely death robs the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture of its most skilful botanical artist. 
The phanerogams are to be presented in two volumes, under the editorship of 
Mr. F. V. Coville, which are announced for the present year. 
Mr. Harriman deserves the cordial thanks of naturalists, not only for the 
expedition itself which extended so much the knowledge of the Alaskan region, 
but also for the ne style in which he makes it possible for the results to 
be presented.—C. R. B. 
as eee Ciara E. CumMIncs, ALEXANDER W. Evans, C. H. Peck, P. A. 
Saccarpo, DEALTON Sayienilees, I. THERIOT, AND WILLIAM TRELEASE, Alaska. 
Vol. V.  Cryptogamic botany. Harriman Alaska Expedition, With cooperation of 
Washington Academy of Sciences. Imp 8vo. pp. x+424. pls. 43. New York: 
Doubleday, Page & Co. $5.00. 
1904] 73 
