April 21, 1893.] 



SCIENCE. 



223 



which equals the old group Gamopetalse. The classification may 

 be tabulated as follows: — 



A. — Protophyta. 



B. — Metaphyta. 



I. Gamophyta. 

 II. Sporophyta. 

 (1) Thallophyta. 

 (3) Archegoniatse. 

 (3) Metaspermasi. 



a. ChalazagamesB (a single genus Casuarina). 



b. Porogameae. 



* Monocotyledons. 



** Dicotyledons, 

 f Archichlamydese. 



ft Metachlamydese. 

 While following the classification of Engler and Prantl to a 

 large extent, Professor MacMillan takes issue with them upon 

 some points. One of these is the nature of the Mycetozoa, or, as 

 they are more commonly called, Myxomycetes. He believes them 

 to be animals rather than plants. It is difficult for the present 

 writer to see why the motility of the Plasmodium of these plants, 

 really the only animal-like feature they possess, should be regarded 

 as very different in character from the motility of the swarm- 

 spores of such universally recognized plants as Hydrodictyon, 

 CEdogonium, Volvox, and others. If motility in conjunction with 

 lack of chlorophyll be evidence of the animal nature of the 

 Myxomycetes, why should not the stationary Hydra, multiply- 

 ing (as it can) when cut into small pieces, and possessing chloro- 

 phyll, he considered a plant? Or where are we to place Dioncea, 

 Drosera, and the like, that present movements analogous to, if 

 not precisely the same as, the contractile powers of many animals? 

 The hard and fast lines between the animal and the vegetable 

 kingdoms have long since been broken down, and there is as 

 much justice in placing Myxomycetes with vegetables as in 

 placing Protista with animals. The fact of motility, the absence 

 of chlorophyll, or both combined, can scarcely be sufficient to 



overbalance the preponderance of facts showing the distinct veg- 

 etable nature of the slime-molds. 



There is a long and interesting discussion of the relationships 

 of the metasperic flora of the region, in which the general features 

 of geographical distribution and the factors concerned with it are 

 considered. The history of the region is regarded as of prime 

 importance, and past time has been a most potent factor in the 

 work. As the Metaspermae have existed on the earth since as 

 far back as Jurassic times, this history begins then. Glacial 

 time, however, was the period most immediately concerned with 

 the present distribution. Many plants previous to that epoch 

 lived in Minnesota which were driven away never to return, or 

 which were entirely exterminated; while, on the other hand, 

 many species were found after the close of the period entirely 

 unknown before. The Sequoias, once widely spread over the 

 continent, but now occupying so restricted a range, he considers 

 to be an indication of the great competition existing between 

 plants in Tertiary times, their great height and giant bulk show- 

 ing the magnitude of the struggle. So, on the other hand, the 

 Compositse are regarded as representing a type that permitted 

 wonderful variation, and hence great adaptability to changed 

 conditions. 



The 150 pages devoted to statistics of the flora can only be men- 

 tioned here. Even a detailed statement of the heads treated of 

 would give but a faint idea of the elaborateness of the discussion. 

 A very full index (66 pages) gives easy reference to all species, 

 genera, and orders mentioned. Altogether this is the most elab- 

 orate catalogue of plants of a limited district it has ever been our 

 lot to examine. Its use of modern classification and nomen- 

 clature will make it of very great interest and value to all sys- 

 tematic botanists, and, while all may not agree with the author 

 in his many suggestions or innovations, there are none but will 

 recognize the enormous amount of labor put into the volume. It 

 is greatly to be desired that other limited floras be as completely 

 dissected and discussed. Joseph F. James. 



Wa3blngton, D.C., March 37. 



ATonic 



For Brain-Workers, the Weak and 

 Debilitated. 



Horsford's Acid Phosphate 



is without exception the Best 

 Remedy for relieving Mental 

 and Nervous Exhaustion ; and 

 where the system has become 

 debilitated by disease, it acts as 

 a general tonic and vitalizer, 

 affording sustenance to both 

 brain and body. 



Dr. J. C. Wilson, Philadelphia, Pa., 

 says: *' I have used it as a general tonic, 

 and in particular in the debility, and 

 dyspepsia of overworked men, with sat- 

 isfactory results." 



Descriptive pamphlet free. 

 Rumford Chemical Works, Providence, R. I. 



Beware of Substitutes and Imitations, 



Exchanges. 



[Freeof charge to all, if of satisfactorycharacter. 

 Address N. D. C. Hodges, 874 Broadway, New Vork.l 



The undersigned has skins of Pennsylvania and 

 New Jersey birds, as well as other natural history 

 specimens: which he wishes to exchange for ma- 

 rine, fresh water, and earthworms of the South and 

 West. Correspondence with collectors desired. 

 J. Percy Moore, School ot Biology, University of 

 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Z^ ^^^ --«-- 



For sale~or~eschange.— I have a Caligraph type- 

 writer (No. 2) in perfect order and nearly new. It 

 is in a heavy leather, plush-lined offlce case, the 

 whole costing me about $100. I desire to obtain for 

 it, either by sale or exchange, anew, No. 5 '"Kodak" 

 camera, with six double feather-weight plate-hold- 

 ers and the latest pattern of their tripod. The lens 

 and pneumatic time-shutter must also be the same 

 as those now sold with the last No. 5 Kodak. The 

 price of what I desire in exchange is $78. Address, 

 for particulars, P. O^Eo x 314, Takoma, District of 



For"sale.— An Abbe binocular eye-piece for the 

 microscope. Alfred C. Stokes, 527 Monmouth St., 

 Trenton, N. J. 



For sale or exchange.— One good long range Rem- 

 ington B. L. rifle, 44 calibre, also land and fresh 

 water, and marine shells. Want shells. Safety, 

 camera or printing p ress. A. H. Boies, Hudson, 



Fine collection of microscopic slides for sale, or 

 would exchange for first-class pneumatic bicycle. 

 J. E. Whitney, Box 549, Rochester, N. Y. 



For sale — A Zentmayer new model U. S. Army 

 Hospital monocular stand. Price $110, will sell for 

 S75. Address H. C. Wells, No. 151 Broadway, New 

 York. 



For sale — A complete set of the third series of the 

 American Journal of Science (1870-1893) handsomely 

 bound in single volumes in dark brown half moroc- 

 co. Address G. H. Williams, 803 Cathedral Street, 

 Baltimore, Md. 



For sale, or for exchange for books on medi- 

 cine or surgery, new editions only, a large geo- 

 logical library, containing nearly all the State and 

 Government Reports since 1855. Will be pleased to 

 answer letters of inquiry and give information. 

 Address R. ELLSWORTH CALL, Louisville, Ky. 



For exchange.— Slides of Indian Territory Loup 

 Fork Tertiary Diatoms for other microscopic fos- 

 sils. Address S. W. WILLISTON, Univ. of Kansas, 

 Lawrence, Kans. 



Wants. 



THE undersifflied desires specimens of North 

 American Gallinae in the flesh for the study of 

 their pterylosis. These species are especially de- 

 sired: Colinus ridgwayi, cyrtonyx montezuviae, 

 deiidragapusfranklini, lagopus welchi^tympanuchus 

 cupido fLnd pedioecetes phasianellus. Any persons 

 having alcoholic specimens which they are willing 

 to loan or who can obtain specimens of any of the 

 above are requested to communicate with Hubert 

 Lyman Clark, 3922 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 



A COMPETENT TEACHER of botany in college 

 or university is open to engagement. Address 

 L., Box 86, Rochester, Mich. 



CAN any one inform me as to the age to which 

 cats have lived? I have one twenty years old. 

 Edward D. Webb, 133 W. Eighty-first St., New York. 



WANTED — Second-hand. Foster's Physiology, 

 Balfour's Comparative Embryology, Clans & 

 Sedgwick's Zoology, Flower's Osteology of Mam- 

 malia, Vine's Physiology of Plants. Please state 

 editions and prices asked and address Richard 

 Lees Brampton, Ontario, Canada 



WANTED. — American Journal of Conchology, 

 seven volumes. Parties having these for 

 sale will please address the undersigned, stating 

 condition and price. R.Ellsworth CaU,Louisville,Ky. 



A GRADUATE ENGINEER will give instruction 

 evenings in geometry, trigonometry and sur- 

 veying, mechanics, physics, mechanical drawing 

 and general engineering construction. Five years' 

 experience in field and editorial work on engineer- 

 ing journal. References furnished. C. S. H., 102 

 Tribune Building, New York. 



WANTED.— By well - qualified and experienced 

 science master and associate of the Royal 

 School of Mines, London, aged 26 (at present in 

 England), a mastership m technical college or uni- 

 versity for any of the following subjects: Engineer- 

 ing sciences, geology and mineralogy, physics, chem- 

 istry and metallurgy, etc.. etc. Can provide excel- 

 lent references and credentials. Apply, J. G., 17 

 Sussex St., Rochdale, England. 



Kindly tnention ^^ Science '^ in 

 writing to Advertisers, 



