git] CURRENT LITERATURE 233 
stranger to the region to gain a true conception of the interrelations of the 
’ whole biotic complex. 
The report consists of two parts, including respectively ecological papers 
and annotated lists. Under part I we find the following: (1) Isle Royale as 
a biotic environment, C. C. Apams; (2) The ecological relations of the inver- 
tebrate fauna of Isle Royale, H. A. GLEAson; (3) The ecological distribution 
of the birds of Isle Royale, Orro McCreary; (4) Fall migration of birds at 
Washington Harbor, Isle Royale, Max M. Pret; (5) The ecological succession 
of birds, C. C. Apams; (6) The Coleoptera of Isle Royale, and their relation 
to the North American centers of dispersal, C. C. ADAMs. Part II includes 
annotated lists as follows: Notes on the vegetation of Isle Royale, and anno- 
tated lists of plants, W. P. Hotr; and various zoological lists prepared by 
members of the expedition and specialists. 
The papers that treat directly or incidentally of the vegetation are nos. 1 
and 2 of part I and Hotr’s annotated list. The last, the only part directly 
concerned with the vegetation, comprises ten pages of ecological notes, fol- 
lowed by an annotated list of lichens, mosses, ferns, and seed plants. The 
total number of species listed is 364. That this list is very incomplete is 
shown by the fact that a number of species are mentioned in other parts of the 
Teport as occurring commonly, which do not appear at all in the catalogue. 
The very brief discussion of the vegetation that precedes the list is totally 
inadequate. 
In the introductory paper of the report, “Isle Royale as a biotic environ- 
ment” by Apams, there is much of interest and value to plant ecologists. 
The writer discusses the geologic history of the island, the climate, and the 
development of the habitats. The probable effect of the lake storms and 
surface currents in determining the composition of the flora and fauna is also 
treated in an interesting way. 
GLEason in his treatment of the invertebrates makes many incidental but 
valuable observations upon the plant successions. The brief summary with 
its appended generalized diagram showing the courses of the successions is 
the most valuable contribution to the plant ecology of the island to be found 
in the report. 
Every ecologist, whether working with plants or animals, should read 
ADams’ papers on the birds and the Coleoptera. 
The report as a whole is an exceedingly valuable contribution, and Dr. 
ADAMs deserves great credit for carrying the work through to completion 
under conditions of very ‘great difficulty. Upon such detailed studies of 
Strategic localities will be built our future completer knowledge of biogeog- 
raphy, It is to be hoped that many similar expeditions may be carried out 
in various parts of the continent before further settlement and exploitation 
Seriously interfere with natural conditions. It is also to be hoped that in 
all such studies the vegetation be given its full share of attention.— WILLIAM 
S. Cooper. 
