128 



use. To the naturalist, the name Upper Sonoran brings an in- 

 delible picture of hot, arid plains or canyons with sagebrush, 

 cactus, jack-rabbits, and horned toads. The name Canadian 

 brings an image of deep, moist woods in the mountains, with the 

 shade and fragrance of spruce, fir, and cedar. It is because of 

 this value as a generalization that the life zone concept is used 

 in this book. Whenever known the life zone is stated for each 

 species. It is based on its occurrence within this area, and dis- 

 regards its zonal occurrence elsewhere, which may or may not 

 be identical" (pp. ix and x). 



Genera and species are treated conservatively, but by no 

 means "lumped." Seventy-five new names make their debut in 

 this book, but we are given the impression that they are based 

 on real study, not nomenclatorial juggling. The order of families 

 follows Engler and Prantl because that system "seems the best" 

 — whether best from the standpoint of representation of evolu- 

 tionary lines, or from that of convenience and familiarity, is not 

 stated. 



The range within the area of each species is expressed in 

 general terms for the commoner plants, and more exact loca- 

 tions and collectors of the localized forms are stated. The general 

 ranges outside of southeastern Washington and adjacent Idaho 

 are, unfortunately, omitted. 



The keys are expressed in simple terms and appear work- 

 able. The key to families, always difficult to make and usually 

 difficult to use, seems to be simplified as much as possible, and 

 is partially illustrated by eleven text figures. These seem, for 

 the most part, not very well chosen. It is doubtful if the begin- 

 ner, unfamiliar with the distinctions between the Pteridophytes 

 and the Spermatophytes, will derive much understanding from 

 the drawings of spores (fig. 1). Again, the significance of fig, 3, 

 showing "naked seeds," and fig. 4, showing "ovary and ovule," 

 will scarcely be understandable except to one who already knows 

 the difference between Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, and he 

 will not need them. "Stamens opposite the petals" (fig. 7), and 

 "stamens not opposite petals" (fig. 8) seem to call less for 

 clarification by illustration than such characters as "ovary 1- 

 celled with a central placenta," "placenta parietal," and "sta- 

 mens hypogynous," with which we can all remember struggling. 



In some groups classified mainly on fruit characters, notably 



