RESEARCH METHODS IN ECOLOGY Zi 
and the senenbeisa pe of the mere dabbler. Serious ecologists 
will welcom zt. nts’ work as a fundamental one—a basis 
from eek velimaied: development becomes possible, while 
botanists whose work lies in other directions will be glad of the 
an aaporinnt phase of their subject, and will condone the occa- 
sional tone of exaggeration or depreciation noticeable in th 
ote chapter. 
This first chapter, entitled the Foundation of Ecology, is devoted 
mainly to discussing the need of a system a and its applications. The 
ed of a precise system, if any real progress is to be made, is 
evident; the applications of ecology are far-reaching. As the author 
points out, forestry is the ecology of a particular kind of rt Per 
the forest. full knowledge of the character and laws of succes- 
sion will be of the greatest ms ile the forester in all studies of 
forestation and reforestation; the means of determining the physical 
nature of the habitat is also an ecard aid, especially in the case 
of forest plantings in non-forested areas. 
Experimental evolution—or that phase of experimental ecology 
which has to do with the plant—will be a most fertile and important 
field. <‘ Attention will be directed first to those — which are 
undergoing modification at the present time. The cause and direc- 
tion of ch will be ascertained, and its pai and rapidity 
measured by biometrical methods. The next step will be to actually 
nge th t of representative types, and to determine for 
constitute a ne w form in each habitat. 
It is o pleas that the methods of ecology may be a great help 
to the taxonomist in his concept of the species, but they touch 
only the bare fringe of his subject. Asa perusal of the present 
volume show , it is with the vegetative characters that such 
for labelling purposes and reference, and Dr. eae statement 
ee “ the moe. ino the study, the greater the output in 
is by ans generally true. Doubtless he is 
a gues aa tis, hamid i ocak Crategus—groups which should 
