1921] CURRENT LITERATURE 55 
species to this substratum is by no means a simple one. In the first place, 
there is great need of more accurate data regarding the exact distribution of 
such “‘calcicoles’’ and of the exact nature and chemical reaction of the soils 
in which they are growing. As an example of the need of such precautions 
it is shown that “‘calcifuges’ ? may and do occur on soils usually considered 
calcareous, but on account of leaching there is really no calcium in the soi 
in contact with the plant during its youthful and critical stages. It is further 
shown that complexity is added to the problem by the secondary characters 
usually accompanying calcareous soils, such as their comparative freedom 
from toxic products of decay, their usually low water-holding capacity, the more 
abundant development of their soil fauna, and the influence of calcium upon 
the absorption of other elements such as potassium. 
The entire discussion is a thoughtful consideration of the various aspects 
of the problems concerned, and with the rather extensive bibliography is a 
good survey of the entire field —Gro. D. FULLER. 
Forest trees of Hokkaido, Japan.—Recognizing in the rapid changes 
taking place in Hokkaido a menace to the existence of its forests and its timber 
supplies, the government has appreciated the importance of a scientific know]- 
edge of its trees as a basis for increased attention to forestry. As a result of 
the investigations thus prompted, there is being issued a most attractive set 
of beautifully colored plates, accompanied by descriptive text in Japanese 
and English.» The plates depict the foliage, flowers, fruit, buds, seeds, and 
seedling stages, one plate being devoted to each species. The three fascicles 
now issued include Taxus cuspidata, Abies sachalinensis, A. Mayriana, A. Wil- 
sonti, Picea Glehni, P. jezoensis, Larix dahurica, Pinus pentaphylla, P. pumila, 
and Thujopsis dolabrata. The finished work will comprise not less than 
85 species.—Gro. D. FULLER 
Notes on Conifers.—Two botanical memoirs by CuurcH* will be of 
interest to teachers of botany, especially those most concerned with mor- 
phology and forestry. These papers are used at Oxford in class work, making 
it unnecessary for ii students to take lecture notes, and, at the same time, 
furnishing v very t tory work. Both papers lay empha- 
sis upon features which can be seen without a compound microscope, although 
the microscope is used for some details of the life history. The first paper is 
2 Mrvaze, Kinco, and Kuno, YusHun, Icones of the essential forest trees 
of Hokkaido. 10.515 inches. Sapporo. Pub. by the Hokkaido government. 
Fasc. 1.1-15. pls 1-4. 1920; Fasc. 2.16-26. pls. 5-7. 1920; Fasc. 3.27-37- pls. 8-10 
1921. 
** Cuurcu, A. H., Came notes on Conifers. Botanical Memoirs. no. 8. 
Oxford University Press. PP. 32. : 
, Form factors in Cnathecs Botanical Memoirs. no. 9. Oxford Uni- 
versity Press, pp. 28. 
