366 The American Naturalist. [April, 
“General Features of Plant Distribution,” “The General Factors in 
Floral Differences,” “ Pressures and Tensions,” “ Outlines of Meta- 
spermic History in the Northern Hemisphere,” etc. 
Enough has been said to indicate that this work is an unusual one. 
It is impossible to give a summary of its many interesting chapters. 
Perhaps the conclusion which the author reaches that while the region 
is geographically central in the continent, the flora is “ preponderantly 
southeastern,” sums up the results of the work as well as any which 
could be given. 
It remains to speak somewhat more as to the list itself. In the first 
place it is ultra-modern in nomenclature and arrangement. Engler & 
Prantl’s work, “ Die Natiirlichen Pflanzenfamilien,” is followed in the 
sequence of the families, so that one finds the simple Monocotyledons 
first (not the grasses, and sedges, however), and following the well- 
known succession of families, reaching the culmination of the Dicoty- 
ledons in the Composite. The manuscript of the book went to the 
printer four months before the Rochester meeting of botanists last 
year, hence it does not conform in all respects to the present rules as 
to nomenclature. Thus the initial date adopted for the genera is 1737, 
instead of 1753, and now and then one finds a specific name identical 
with that of the genus to which it belongs. In the preface, which 
bears date of Dec. 24, 1892, the author records his hearty acquies- 
cence with the action of the botanists at Rochester, and suggests the 
changes which must be made in order to bring the nomenclature in 
the book into harmony with the present code. 
A very valuable feature of the work is the fulness of citations of 
synonyms, with dates. Thus one finds: 
Lacrnraria Hill, Syst. Veg. iv, 49 (1762). 
Psilosanthus Neck. Elem. (1790). 
Liatris Schreb. Gen. Pl. 572(1791). 
Calostelma Don, Sweet. Brit. Fl. Gard., 2, 184 Seegi 
The following may serve to show the triatinent of s 
LACINIARIA sQUARROSA (Linn.) Hill. Syst. Veg. iv, 49 (1762). 
Serratula squarrosa Linn. Spee. 88 (1753). 
Pteronia caroliniana Walt. F1. Gar, 292 (1788). 
Liatris squarrosa Willd. Spec. IIT, 1065 (1802). 
Then follow many references to descriptions or lists giving locali- 
ties, followed by statements as to its general and particular distribu- 
tion, ete. 
The book will be read with interest by all advanced hoticnints: and — 
it is to be hoped that it will serve as a model for future plant lists. 
CHARLES E. Bessey. 
