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firmed them, but then the thousand and first upset them com- 
pletely.” 
An English reviewer has objected to the amount of space given 
by Dr. Smith to the nitrogen bacteria, ginger-beer plant, etc., 
and also to the full abstracts of other investigators’ papers. Now, 
it seems that neither of these objections is very serious for two 
reasons: first, the publications of the Carnegie Institution are 
not intended to be used as text-books by undiscriminating young 
students but are for specialists who can choose those things in a 
book that are of most use to them in their own immediate prob- 
lems; secondly, very few of us are able to read foreign languages 
with such ease that we prefer to do so and, furthermore, to have 
these abstracts brought together in one place is a saving of time. 
The author's style of informal discussion increases the readable- 
ness of the book, a result not to be scorned even in a scientific 
publication. 
On the whole one may say that this volume is one well worth 
reading by people interested in botanical, bacteriological or 
phytopathological matters even if a highly technical knowledge 
of these subjects is not possessed. To the specialist in this field 
it should be an inspiration and a mine of valuable data. It is 
hoped that a third volume will soon appear in which we may find 
the brilliant researches of Dr. Smith and his co-workers upon 
the plant tumors.—E. D. C. 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CLUB 
MARCH 27, 1912 
The meeting of March 27, 1912, was held in the lecture room 
of the New York Botanical Garden at 3 P.M. Vice-President 
Barnhart presided. Forty persons were present. 
The minutes of the meetings of February 28 and March 12 
were approved. The resignations of Mrs. M. E. Soth and F. К. 
Vreeland were read and accepted and Dr. R. Ellsworth Call, 
Geo. E. Hastings, and Frank M. Wheat, of the DeWitt Clinton 
High School, New York City, were elected to membership. 
