263 



The grasses are handled in a masterly way by Prof. A. S, 

 Hitchcock. He shows no reluctance to recognize recently pro- 

 posed or revived genera, which commend themselves to his mind, 

 and as a result we have a general arrangement, which will surely 

 be regarded highly by all agrostologists. How greatly altered 

 Panicum has become through recent study is shown by the fact 

 that what in the sixth edition was treated as one genus with 25 

 species and about five varieties has here become six genera with 

 86 species and four varieties. Other genera, too, show very 

 marked changes, but, of course, nothing like this. 



The Cyperaceae also show the influence of new ideas, and in 

 comparing the pages dealing with such genera as Scirpus and 

 Eriophorwn with the earlier editions, one unfamiliar with the re- 

 cent history of the groups would scarcely believe the two edi- 

 tions represented studies in the same territory. Carex has been 

 entirely changed, and very little, if any, of Professor Bailey's 

 earlier treatment survives. A very elaborate and useful but not 

 always accurate artificial key covering fourteen pages is one of 

 the noteworthy features, and the time-honored division into 

 Vignea and Eucarex is maintained. The statement on page 209, 

 that the distigmatic species oi Eucarex always have peduncled 

 spikes, is valueless if it includes the terminal spike ; and is incor- 

 rect, if it refers to the lateral forms of Carex stricta and Carex 

 Goodeno7>ii, as well as certain species not treated which are excep- 

 tions. The treatment of the subgenus Vignea is in the opinion of 

 the writer the best ever given our eastern North American species. 

 On the other hand, the treatment of Eucarex is less satisfactory, 

 that of Carex tetanica and Carex laxiflora and their allies being 

 especially weak. To discover errors in the key one might try to 

 name Carex flava or Carex acntiforinis by it. 



The remaining groups of the monocotyledons also exhibit in 

 many places the changes made requisite by recent studies. 

 Jimcus is credited with considerably fewer species disguised as 

 varieties than formerly, and in Sisyrincliium the discriminating 

 studies of Mr. Bicknell are rather closely followed. In passing 

 it may be noted that the description of the plant called Iris hex- 

 agona is evidently based on specimens of the very different Iris 



