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which is rather unsatisfactory, since by beginners it is easily mis- 

 taken for a seed. For this reason I have elsewhere advocated 

 the use of other fruits together with their seeds. Some good 

 physiological work on respiration and on food and its use, is 

 introduced. The experiment on the responses of roots to the 

 gravitational stimulus appears to be defective, the directions call- 

 ing for the "hour-hand spindle," which revolves once in twelve 

 hours — far too long a period, and much greater than the reaction 

 time of the tap-root of the seeds used. Even the minute-hand 

 spindle moves too slowly for good results. Ecological matters 

 are then taken up. A similar plan is adopted for roots, buds, 

 stems and leaves, and, while a fair amount of physiological work 

 is called for, and many good points are brought in, the educa- 

 tional value of the whole is chiefly informational. There is not 

 quite enough stress laid upon independent thought by the pupil, 

 the text for the most part working out the problems. A chapter 

 on " Growth and Movement" follows, which, though in many 

 ways very good, is rather too difficult and technical for the 

 average high school pupil. Sachs' experiment on hydrotropism, 

 it may be said, is not the best in method that has been devised. 

 The most striking part of the book is that concerned with the 

 " flower," and a distinctly pleasant flavor is given to it by the 

 reference to Sprengel's work, and by the good illustrations. The 

 matter of historical allusion has, I believe, been entirely too 

 much overlooked in elementary work. Stevens, and earlier, 

 Bailey, in his "Lessons with Plants" (pp. 427 et seq.\ have 

 therefore done a service in using it. The introduction, too, of a 

 critical study of insects in their relations to flowers, gives the sub- 

 ject a far more scientific trend than is usual. The following part 

 of the book treats of types of all the leading groups of plants, 

 and with general adaptation, and does not call for special mention. 

 The chapter on " Plants of Past Ages " is brief, but good, and 

 leads one to believe that the discussion might profitably be more 

 prolonged and further illustrated. 



The illustrations are evenly new and good — with isolated ex- 

 ceptions of no great moment — and the successful use of well- 

 chosen photomicrographs — as e. g. of starch grains on pp. 20 



