* 
252 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [MARCH 
and exceptionally open-minded in the matter of the many moot questions 
which so largely make up our present science. What might be considered as 
errors or inadequacies of treatment are no doubt largely explainable on grounds 
of lack of space for a full consideration of the questions involved. It is not 
likely that the book will lead any serious worker far astray.—B. E. LivincsTon. 
Manual of carboniferous plants _ 
The work, of which Doctor Joncmans has published the first part under 
the title cited,3 is destined to constitute a manual of the carboniferous plants 
of western Europe. As may be inferred, it is intended for the use of students 
and paleontologists who have under examination the ordinary impressions and 
carbonized fragments which constitute over 99 per cent of the material repre- 
senting the carboniferous floras. The treatment is adapted primarily, there- 
fore, to the identification of such plant fragments. Accordingly the histologist, 
looking for descriptions or illustrations of the microscopical structure of 
carboniferous plants, will not find much information of that kind in the work, 
or at least in its first part. As a matter of fact, there are in the Paleozoic 
comparatively few plant genera the microscopical anatomy of which is known, 
stratigraphic horizons. From the stratigraphic standpoint petrified plant 
fragments, which are apt to lack superficial characters, are of relatively little 
val 
e paleobotanical matter in the work is arranged to serve the purpose of 
greatest practical utility. The pteridophytes are grouped in (1) Equisetales, 
(2) Sphenophyllales, (3) Lycopodiales, and (4) Filicales, to which, as an 
appendix, is added (5) Cycadofilices or the Pteridospermae. The first volume, 
embracing 482 pages, ends with the Sphenophyllales. Each group, family, 
and genus is briefly but lucidly defined, the descriptions and differentiations 
being often graphic in their simplicity and effectiveness. In most cases where 
the genus or subgenus includes half a dozen or more species, carefully prepared 
and most useful keys are introduced to aid in the identification of the fossils. 
Most of the species are also illustrated to show their diagnostic features, and 
the pains and good judgment which the author has shown in the choice of his 
illustrations, a large number of which represent type specimens, contributes 
—. to the value and importance of the work. All these features com- 
e to make it a reference work for the use of systematic or stratigraphic 
oaleckotHiiees 
3 Joncmans, W. J., Anleitung zur Bestimmung der Karbonpflanzen West Europas 
mit besonderer Beriicksichtigung der in den Niederlanden und den benachbarten 
Landern gefundenen oder noch zu Edwartenden Arten. Band I. Thallophytae, 
Equisetales, Sphenophyllales. 482 pp. st 390. ’s Gravenhage: Mededeelingen 
van de Rijksopsporing van Delfstoffen. 1911 
