CURRENT LITERATURE 
BOOK REVIEWS 
Anatomy of woody plants 
When one reads DEBAryY’s classic Comparative anatomy of the vegetative 
organs of the phanerogams and ferns, he finds exceedingly little of a comparative 
nature, but for the most part an extensive array of facts. In JEFFREY’s' work, 
-how before us, we have an eminently comparative view of the subject, although 
the word comparative is not emblazoned on the title page. No book appearing 
in recent years better reflects the progress which has been made in this branch 
and the change in our point of view which has occurred. The rapid rise of a 
teal comparative anatomy of vascular plants is due mainly to two causes: 
(1) new methods of technique, for which our author is largely responsible, and 
(2) the notable development of paleobotany, in which our author has had no 
mean share. At last we have a book in which existing and fossil plants stand 
side by side as illustrations of the principles which are discussed. 
When it became known that Jerrrey had written a book on plant anatomy, 
we looked for a work characterized by freshness and individuality, and we have 
not been disappointed. As to the point of view of the author, we find, as was 
to be expected, that the keynote is not physiology nor histology, but phylogeny. 
Facts which have no general bearing have only passing interest for the writer, 
as is illustrated by the statement (p. 126) ‘‘on account of its relatively slight — 
phylogenetic interest the epidermal tissue will receive small attention in the 
present connection.” We may here see an explanation of the omission of any 
treatment of the subject of periderm, which would seem to be a suitable topic 
for introduction into a work on woody plants. 
One of the first impressions which one receives upon opening the book is 
the number, excellent quality, and originality of the illustrations. The figures, 
numbering over 300, are mostly from photomicrographs by the author, which 
sufficiently vouches for their quality. The drawings by R. E. Torrey and 
others are well executed and clear. A minor matter, except to the teacher of 
junior students, is the lack of uniformity in the orientation of the figures, as 
may be seen by comparing figs. 11, 32, 42, also 252 and 253, which face one 
another. As a piece of book making the work is a credit to the publishers, and 
there is a remarkably small number of typographical errors. The style of 
« Jerrrey, E. C., The anatomy of woody plants. pp. x+478. University of 
Chicago Press. 1917. 
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