SCIENCE- 
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BOOKS TOREA 
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NOTICES BY JOHN T. CARRINGTON, 
Plant Diseases. By GEORGE MAssEE, F.L.S. 
xii. + 458 pp., Sin. * 54in., with 91 illustrations. 
(London: Duckworth and Co. New York: Mac 
millan’s, 1899.) 5s. net. 
The full title of this work is ‘A Textbook of 
Plant Diseases Caused by Cryptogamic Parasites,” 
the author being the Principal Assistant (Crypto- 
gams), Royal Herbarium, Kew. Mr. Massee nas 
therefore special claim to our attention, in conse- 
quence of his knowledge of cryptogamic botany, 
and this branch of vegetable pathology. In most 
instances an illustration is given of at least a portion 
of the afflicted plant. These are excellently drawn, 
From Massete’s Pranr Dise 
‘Big. 1. Rhytisma accrinum. x. Sycamore leaf, with Rhy- 
tisma blotches. 2. Section through black patch bearing 
Spermatia 200. Ascus containing spores. 4. Free 
Spore x 300. 
and many show much detail. We have selected a 
couple to illustrate their style, which are here repro- 
duced by the courtesy of the publishers. We have 
intentionally chosen two familiar cases, as they will 
be the more interesting. The book has a useful 
introduction explaining the parasitic fungi and their 
action in producing the diseases, then follows much 
information on fungicides, and the best means of 
getting rid of these pests, from the economic point of 
view. It is only when attention is drawn to the fact, 
that one realises the immensity of the loss which can 
be inflicted by one of these microscopic species. Mr. 
Massee quotes Government statistics of the losses in 
Prussia of the grain harvest from depreciation by 
rust. It was estimated in 1891 to have reached the 
sum of £20,628,147 sterling, or almiost a third of the 
total value of the crops. Other instances are given, 
for example, the loss in a single tomato house in 
Guernsey, from a plant parasite, is said to sometimes 
reach £200 a season. We can therefore appreciate 
GOS STP. 
211 
the value of such a text-book as that before us, to 
those who are engaged in the culture of plants for 
economic purposes. In addition to the illustration, 
when describing a disease, the author adds preéven- 
tive means, and at the end of each, a reference to 
other useful literature upon the subject. Considering 
the number of illustrations and the excellence of the 
literary matter this work may be considered as one of 
the cheapest we have met with for some time. 
Life and Letters of Sir Joseph Prestwich, ML.A., 
D.C.L., F.R.S. Written and edited by his wife. 
XV. + 444 pp., in. x 6in., with frontispiece and 23 
other illustrations. (Edinburgh and London : 
William Blackwood and Sons, 1899). 21s. 
There is a melancholy interest connected with the 
issue of this volume, as it forms the closing work of 
both husband and wife ; he having died on the 23rd 
June, 1896, and she a couple of months ago, soon after 
the completion of her labours in producing this 
memoir of her talented husband. We all know the 
difficult and delicate task undertaken by any person 
1. Fungus on upper side ot 
wsicladium pirintum. 50 
3. Conidia X joo. 
2. Fungus on pear. 
Fic. 2. 
pear leaf. 
in editing the letters and summarising the work of 
one departed, who was held in high esteem or affec- 
tion. Lady Prestwich showed much judgment in 
dealing with the material left by Sir Joseph, and 
wisely she gave us chiefly what might be described as 
the personal side of the life of Professor Prestwich. 
Commencing with the story of his boyhood, his school 
days in Paris, his subsequent home life, his entry into 
business as a wine merchant, his numerous travels 
both as the commercial representative of his firm and 
on holiday excursions, we find from the earliest days 
the taste for natural science was born in him. In 
those beginning years, when scientific instruction was 
difficult to attain, for they were in the teens of the 
century, Prestwich seems to have been a studious lad, 
asping unconsciously every opportunity of obtaining 
scientific information. A diary made at the age of 
twenty, shows him to have possessed quite an impor- 
tant little laboratory. One of the most pleasing 
features of the book before us is the reference to his 
introduction to, and friendship with, most of the 
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