1248 Recent Literature. [ December, 
essential left out. The language is lucid; and as the crowning 
merit of the book, the author has introduced throughout the vol- 
ume “ practical studies ” which direct the student in his efforts to 
see for himself all that the text teaches. It is hardly possible to 
estimate too highly the value of these “ studies” as an educa- 
tional force. 
On the first page of the brief Preface the author gives his 
reasons for introduction of the terms Zygophyta, Oophyta and 
Carpophyta. It is encugh to say that to any one these reasons 
should be satisfactory. To the teachers who know the confusion 
caused in the minds of pupils by the older nomenclature, this 
change will probably be thoroughly welcome. It is an oversight 
that instead of asexual the author did not use the term nonsex- 
ual, for besides being contrary to best usage, asexual, by slight 
typographical blunder, is often made to read a sexual, just what 
is not intended. Hence asexual should not be used or perpet- 
uated. 
As indicating the scope of this little book we give the chapter 
headings : : 
POU See ea eh ee ae ON ee ee OPES 
1. Protoplasm and Plant-cells. 
ur. The Tissues of Plants. 
1. The Groups of Tissues, or Tissue Systems, 
Iv. The Plant Body. 
v. The Chemistry and Physics of Plants. 
vi. Classification and Distribution of Plants. 
A glance shows that the student is here plainly led fro 
natural foundation on simple facts up to the latest views 
broadest generalizations. 
We have but a single criticism to make. One more pe a 
pe iat which should briefly explain the terms used in analysis 
plants. ‘ 
There is a danger that we may run from one extreme to = 
other in our teaching, and in our new love for morphol 
botany, neglect systematic botany too much. A p already 
be greater than the whole, and we regret the tendency, 
too marked, of being content to study cells and cell gror the 
aggregation, without being able to name the plant on whic 
observations are made. No one is better qualiheg tie to 
Bessey to add this needed chapter. Another edition 1s ec s 
called for soon, and when it appears we hope to fin smirable i 
chapter added to what is already a most important and a ps 
work.—/. T. Rothrock. ý a 
Tue Propre’s Cycrorepia!—This work, in three royal “j a 
volumes, contains a great deal of information in a pee but i 
form. What it may be in other directions we do not well i 
we cannot speak highly of its scientific value. 
1 Phillips and Hunt, New York. Edited by W. H. DePuy, LL-D» see 
m the 
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