76 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. [Vor. XXXVI. 
Ganong’s Plant Physiology.’ 
importance of plant physiology as a source of illuminating informa- 
tion on the conduct of living things, as well as a valuable means of 
discipline, the very scanty assortment of English texts available for 
classes taking up this study has been a source of inconvenience to 
many teachers. Laboratory manuals and concise, up-to-date treatises 
on the subject have both been conspicuously lacking. 
Fortunately, several additions to our texts on this subject have 
recently been made; among these 4 Laboratory Course in Plant 
Physiology, by Prof. W. F. Ganong of Smith College (New York, 
Henry Holt & Co., 1901), outlines a series of experiments covering 
a school year in which eight hours are given weekly for laboratory 
work. Dr. Ganong has chosen experiments for their teaching value, 
making use of those, so far as possible, which require simple appara- 
tus, purchasable at small expense. Inspection of the figures and 
descriptions given discovers much ingenuity in this selection. Since 
Dr. Ganong believes that in elementary courses “it is mainly quali- 
tative results that are of value,” although “the exact quantitative 
methods and spirit are scientifically and educationally the best,” the 
correct use of simple apparatus is emphasized. Comment upon the 
experiments is chiefly by the way of suggesting to the student lines 
of thought and reading. When experiment is out of the question 
proportion is secured by references for outside reading. Much use 
of synoptical essays is recommended. 
The suggestions: are, in most cases, stimulating and within the 
range of the possible. When, however, the student is directed to 
form a clear mental picture of the molecular processes and energy 
involved in osmosis, one cannot refrain from asking whether the 
picture is to be that in the mind of Graham or that in the mind of 
van’t Hoff. When physicists are still divided on the subject the 
undergraduate deceives himself who fancies that he has the data 
necessary for the formation of a clear mental picture. 
The book is clearly the result of careful work and ample experi- 
ence. It cannot but be of the greatest assistance to the teachers of 
plant physiology, and it deserves to be most cordially received. 
Rou. T. 

Notes. — Part I of a botany of the Faeróes, based upon Danish 
Investiganeayy has been published, by aid of the Carlsberg fund, by 
x Ganong; W.F. A Laboratory Course in Plant Physiology, cedi as a Basis 
7 Ecology. New York, eame Holt & Co., 19o1. w vi-146 pp., 35 fi 



