146 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [FEBRUARY 
At the present time, when many relatively new branches of botany are 
demanding recognition as coordinate with the old, such a critique of the his- 
torical and logical background of the science is especially welcome.—W. L 
EIKENBERRY 
American men of science 
President JorDAN’s recently issued collection of biographical sketches* 
brings together in a single volume and in very pleasing form the personal 
history and prominent achievements of seventeen American scientific leaders. 
The sketches are in all instances by a friend, a colleague, or at least a Fachmann 
of the scientist treated, and as a result gombine in high degree insight and 
sympathy. The selection of th t t worthy to be included 
in such a series must have offered some difficulty, though such appropriate 
names as AGAssiz, AUDUBON, RumForD, GRrAy, DANA, and some others will 
occur at once to the layman as well as to the scientific student. The distribu- 
tion as to subject is not without interest. Of physicists there are four, and 
of zoologists three; while ornithology, paleontology, and geology have two 
each; and botany, chemistry, anatomy, and astronomy claim each a single 
representative. 
The interest of the botanical reader will naturally center upon the account 
of Dr. Gray, whose life and work are treated with obvious affection by his 
pupil and friend Professor Joun M. Courter. Sketching clearly what is 
known of Dr. Gray’s early history, he brings out vividly as he proceeds the 
unity of purpose, unflagging diligence, extraordinary capacity, and gran 
achievements which characterized Gray’s career. Finally, he is able from 
personal acquaintance to add many more intimate touches, which give life 
to the sketch and make the reader feel acquainted with the charming person- 
ality of its subject. As thosé capable of giving ae decrease, these personal 
reminiscences of Dr. Gray become the more preciou 
In perusing the various biographies here te one is impressed by 
the fact that Gray more than any other of these men, if perhaps we except 
Count Rumrorp who lived in Europe, and Acassiz who was born and educated 
there, stood in the closest relation to European activities in his science and 
did sasch to correlate and harmonize the intellectual endeavors of the New 
World and the Old 
Without any lack of patriotism it may be pointed out to publishers that 
works on distinguished Americans are rendered no more attractive by muc 
gilt or by a squashed eagle painfully recalling the unhappy bird on the demone- 
tized trade dollar. owever, notwithstanding its forbidding appearance, 
the volume furnishes fascinating reading and gives information and stimulus 
in no small measure. “There were giants in the earth in those days.” —B. L. 
ROBINSON. 
Leading American men of science. Edited by Davin STARR JORDAN. Illus- 
trated. 8vo. — 471. New York: Henry Holt & Co. Forming one of a series of 
volumes, edited by W. P. TRENT, praia to biographies of os Americans. 
