242 Scientific Intelligence. 



5. An Introduction to the Chemistry of Plant Products; by 

 P. Haas and T. G. Hill. Second edition; pp. xii, 411, 1917. 

 New York (Longmans, Green and Co.). — The recent researches 

 of Willstatter and his pupils, which have supplied exact and 

 detailed information concerning the chemistry of chlorophyll 

 and other plant pigments, more especially the anthocyanins, have 

 been the occasion for the publication of a second edition of the 

 Chemistry of Plants Products by Haas and Hill. The appear- 

 ance of this revised and enlarged edition will be welcome to both 

 botanists and chemists, but particularly to biochemists and' plant 

 physiologists who are now awake to the importance of plant 

 chemistry and to many of whom this book has already proved 

 indispensable. The chapter on pigments has been rewritten for 

 the most part and numerous minor amplifications have been 

 made, among which may be noted a description of Benedict's 

 solution for the estimation of glucose. It is to be regretted that 

 this opportunity was not taken to revise the treatment of the 

 polysaccharides and particularly of the "compound celluloses." 

 A 'reclassification of these substances based more strictly on 

 chemical structure would do much to clear up the confusion occa- 

 sioned by adherence to the traditional scheme derived from his- 

 tological considerations. The hemi-celluloses, for example, are 

 chemically more closely related to mannane and galactane than 

 to cellulose. It is to be hoped that in a subsequent edition space 

 will be found for a chapter on terpenes and essential oils, which 

 constitutes the only serious omission from this admirable hand- 

 book.- HENRY D. HOOKER, JR. 



6. The Botany of Crop Plants; by Wilfred W. Robbins. 

 Pp. xix, 681, with 263 text figures. Philadelphia, 1917 (P. 

 Blakiston's Son & Co.). — The strong emphasis now being laid 

 on the economic aspects of botany, in the teaching of the sub- 

 ject, is exemplified by the present volume. It is divided into 

 two parts. The first part, consisting of only 67 pages, is gen- 

 eral in character and gives a condensed but excellent account 

 of the organs and tissues of plants. The second part, occupying 

 over 600 pages, is devoted to a more detailed consideration of 

 the plant families of economic importance, especially those which 

 have cultivated representatives in northern and temperate 

 regions. Much information is included, relating not only to the 

 botanical features of the plants discussed but also to the products 

 which they yield — their nature, methods of preparation, and 

 uses. A welcome feature of the book is found in the full cita- 

 tions of the literature, many very recent titles being included. 



a. w. E. 



7. French Academy of Sciences. — Dr. Charles D. Waleott, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, has recently been 

 elected corresponding member of the French Academy. 



