1895.] Recent Literature. 349 
tions of the students in its native habitat. Asa matter of fact, however, 
the author does not adhere strictly to the advice above given but 
generally takes it for granted that the plant has also been observed 
while growing. 
Chapters are given on seeds, germination, the root, stem, leaf, flower 
and fruit. Then the so-called flowerless plants are taken up, and the 
sea weeds and their allies, molds and rusts, mosses and liverworts, ferns 
and horsetails are studied. The conifers and leading families of mono- 
cotyledons and dicotyledons follow in their natural order. 
Each chapter begins with a list of material needed for study, con- 
tains minute and practical directions to the student and closes with an 
admirable summary. Copious references to the literature of the sub- 
jects are given in foot notes. One of the most valuable features of the 
work are the numerous questions asked and the special topics for study 
which the author suggests under each group. Simple physiological ex- 
periments, such as any student working alone, or teacher even in our 
district schools can easily perform, are described. Such subjects as seed 
dispersion and protection, fertilization, assimilation, respiration, and 
transpiration, adaptation of various plant organs to their environment 
as well as plant relationships are treated in afresh and interesting 
manner quite different from the ordinary laboratory guides. 
When one considers the great diversity and looseness of terminology 
employed by many prominent botanical writers, the difficulty as well 
as the necessity is apparent of having accurate definitions and plant 
descriptions. The glossary at the close of Professor Spalding’s Guide 
is most commendable, and constitutes one of the many admirable char- 
acters of work which we heartily commend to all lovers of plant 
life. Not only secondary schools, but also students working by them- 
selves will find it exceedingly helpful. We know of nothing better 
adapted to the short winter courses given by some of our Agricultural 
Colleges, and for use in University Extension instruction. 
GıLBERT H. Hicks. 
The New Check-List of Plants.”—-The recent considerable 
changes in botanical nomenclature have made necessary such a book 
- as the one here noticed. We have had in various monographs and 
scattered notes in botanical journals so many records of changes, and 
notices of others which should be made, that any one doing critical 
work has been compelled to make a catalogue for himself, or lose much 
time whenever he worked over a new lot of species. One does not 
have to “etd to everything done by the committee to feel that the 
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