1914] CURRENT LITERATURE 87 



The plant cell and tissues. — The title is broad enough to cover most 

 of the fields now designated as cytology and morphology. Some of the topics 

 are: cell contents, cell membranes, nuclear and cell division, reduction of 

 chromosomes, fertilization, alternation of generations, origin of tissues from 

 apical cells and from meristem, differentiation of tissues, etc. Throughout 

 the work the cell and tissues are treated not only from the standpoint of 

 structure, development, and phylogeny, but also from the standpoint of 

 chemical composition and function. While both vegetative and reduction 

 mitoses are rather minutely described, little attention is given to conflicting 

 theories. The main facts stand in bold relief, without those obscuring details 

 which vary in different forms, or which may be present in some plants and 

 lacking in others. In the treatment of mitosis, the chromosome is regarded 

 as an individual organ. In the description of fertilization, the nucleus is 

 regarded as the sole bearer of hereditary characters, so far as heredity is con- 

 cerned, the cytoplasm being only the necessary medium in which the nucleus 

 exercises its functions. Alternation of generations, of course, is regarded as 

 antithetic; alternation is recognized in animals as well as in plants, in both 

 cases the two generations being distinguished by the haploid and diploid num- 

 ber of chromosomes, a position with which the reviewer is in the heartiest 

 accord. The origin of tissues from apical cells or meristem and the differ- 

 entiation of cells into vessels, sieve tubes, sclerotic cells, glandular hairs, etc., 

 is followed in many cases. 



The work, as indicated by Strasburger's own words, was not intended 

 as a piece of research. The object was to make such a presentation of the cell 

 and tissues as a man of culture, although not a professional botanist, might 

 read with profit. It can be said, without the slightest hesitation, that even 

 the professional botanist can read it with profit, for it covers most of the field 

 of cytology and morphology, and presents the views of one who speaks from 

 an abundance of first-hand knowledge and who has contributed more to the 

 subject than any other man of his generation. While the reading may be 

 rather difficult for the average man who regards himself as cultured, it is hard 

 to see where it could have been simplified. Such a presentation was no new 

 experience for Strasburger, since he had for many years given his weekly 

 Friday lecture to the people of Bonn. These lectures brought fundamental 

 botanical problems within the reach of those who were interested enough to 

 attend. The style is much simpler than Strasburger used in publishing his 

 researches. This is seen particularly in the shorter sentences and in the com- 

 parative scarcity of technical terms. To the cytologist, the book is full of sug- 

 gestions for research. 



Morphology and development of plants. — The field left for Benecke's 

 contribution, after the broad presentation by Strasburger, would seem rather 

 limited. The subject is treated under two subdivisions: (1) general, and 

 (2) special. The first is devoted largely to a consideration of the form and func- 

 tion of the root, stem, and leaf, comparatively little attention being given to 



