690 The American Naturalist. [August, 
RECENT LITERATURE. 
An American Book on Fungi.—A few months ago the bota- 
nists of the country were greatly pleased with the announcement that 
J. B. Ellis and B. M. Everhart, the well-known publishers of the 
“ North American Fungi,” would soon bring out a book on the Black 
Fungi (Pyrenomycetes) a group presenting many difficulties to the stu- 
dent and collector. Early in May the work was completed and sent 
out to subscribers. It is a thick volume of about 800 octavo pages, 
accompanied by forty-one excellent plates, the latter the work of the 
lamented F. W. Anderson. 
It is unnecessary to say here that this book will be useful. It could 
not be otherwise. Even the possessor of Saccardo’s “Sylloge ” must 
have this American work, and no beginner can afford to do without 
For the help of beginners a freer use of synopses would have been 
useful, and it is to be hoped that such will be prepared for future edi- 
tions. 
The descriptions are full, and spore measurements are quite gener- 
ally given, with many critical notes. Some changes in nomenclature i 
are made, the merits of which need not be discussed in the present 
notice. Itis pleasant to notice that the exact method of citation of 
authorities is followed, the name of the author first publishing the spe- 
cies being retained in parenthesis in case of a removal of the species 
from the genus in which it was first placed. In this connection the 
authors significantly remark that “the piratical practice of omitting 
the first name and substituting the second in its place can not be too 
strongly condemned.” —CHARLEs E. BEssEY. 
A Study of the Oak Tree.'—If the pretty volume by Prof. 
Marshall Ward, recently brought out by Appleton, finds readers enough 
to warrant author and publisher in bringing out others, English speak- 
ing botanists will have cause for congratulating themselves upon the 
progress of botanical science among the people. Here is a strictly sci- 
entific popular. book, confidently put forth by the publisher, at no little 
expense. That it should be brought out at all is a most encouraging 
sign, especially as it is not written to fill “a long felt want,” nor is it 
The Oak, a popular introduction to forest botany, by H. Marshall Ward, M. A., 
F. R. S., F. L. S., Professor of Botany at the Royal Indian Engineering College. 
