890 Recent Literature. [ November, 
Hervey’s Sea Mosses.\—In the September NaTuRALIST we 
had the pleasure of calling attention to the publication of a much 
needed help to the student of sea-weeds in Dr. Farlow’s “ Marine 
Algz of New England and the Adjacent Coast.” It is gratify- 
ing to be able now to add another book to the list of those de- 
voted to the beautiful inhabitants of the sea, the ‘“ sea-mosses,” 
as they are popularly called. The Rev. A. B. Hervey, long a 
student and admirer of these plants, has just brought out his 
“Sea Mosses,” in which he has attempted to make “a book which 
should be a real and helpful guide to those who, though not ex- 
pert botanists, and not having or using any aids to a good pair of 
eyes other than a simple pocket magnifier, desire to begin the 
collection and study of marine plants.” The book is thus, toa 
great extent, designed for amateurs, and for those who, spending 
a few weeks at the sea-side, want to know somewhat about the 
pretty plants which are washed up by the waves. 
- The introductory chapter includes somewhat about scientific 
names, classification, geographical distribution, times and places 
for collecting, mounting and preserving, methods of study, clubs 
and classes, and an historical sketch. This chapter alone 1s well 
worth the price of the book to the sea-side visitor, that portion treat- 
ing of mounting and preserving: being especially well treated. A 
chapter each is given to the Bright green Algz, the Olive-colored 
Algae and the Red Alge. The general order followed is that 
“adopted by Dr. Farlow from Professor Thuret, in his list © 
North American Alge.” Keys are given which readily lead the 
student to the genera. The species are described in simple lan- 
guage, and many little interesting items are thrown in which add 
much to the value of the book. Twenty colored plates, most of 
which are very good, representing twenty-four species, are bound 
into the book. These are engraved from photographs of spect 
mens in the author’s herbarium, so that they represent real plants. 
A short glossary and an index of genera and species close at 
pretty book, which is tastefully gotten up by both printer an 
binder. We trust that both author and publisher will be amply 
repaid for their venture in trying to give to Americans a popular 
ook on a scientific subject—C. E. B 
_ 1 Sea Mosses : a Collector's Guide, and an Introduction to the study of Marine — 
Alge. By A. B. Hervey, A.M. S. E. Cassino, Boston, 1 yine 
The Botanical Collector's Handbook. By WW. WHITMAN BAILEY, ripe: fa 
‘ee Professor of Natural History (Botany) in Brown University. Natural 
oe Se les. Geo. A. Bates, Salem, Mass., 188. 
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