50 The American Naturalist. [January, 
TJA BEL a Mate S pee ae 
SOI, SOE eee aa Pee a es? ag em oe 
BOTANY. 
Books for Young Collectors.—It is probable that the profes- 
sional botantist too generally underrates the value of the books de- 
signed to aid the young collector. The untechnical and popular style 
rarely pleases the learned botanist, who long since passed beyond the 
need of such simple pabulum. But many a young man who isnot | 
able to go to college eagerly longs to make a beginning in the work of 
studying the plants about him, needing only some suggestions as to 
yee and means. For such a student the “‘ books for young collec- — 
tors’’ are most useful. 
A recent book by T. S. Smithson, entitled ‘‘ Pond-Life: Algz and 
Allied Forms,’’ is a good illustration of what such a work should be. 
In the introductory chapter some suggestions are given as to the appa- 
ratus required, with instructions as to collecting, etc. This is follow 
by a popular description of the more common fresh-water alge, with 
suggestions as to their treatment. The earnest student can get cil 
help from the book. 
A Study of the Snow-Plant.—Professor Oliver, of London, 
has studied the “snow-plant” (Sarcodes sanguinea) of the P: 
coast, and published his results in the Annals of Botany for August. 
After a general description of the plant, the various parts are taken | 
in detail. The roots are very interesting, being « coralline ” ina 
pearance, and covered with a close-fitting sheath of fungal mycelium, 
constituting a well-marked case of ‘‘mycorhiza.’’ The structure | 
this fungal layer is carefully worked out, and comparisons are mā 
with the similar structure in Monotropa. It appears from these inve 
tigations that Sarcodes is not parasitic upon the. roots of surrou 
plants, but that it is a saprophyte, living upon decaying matter 
soil, in which it is aided by the layer of fungal mycelium. 
The stem and leaves show the usual “reduced ” condition 
