
No. 427.] NOTES AND LITERATURE. 593 
Leavitt's ** Outlines of Botany ’’! follows substantially the gen- 
eral sequence of topics in Gray's Lessons, and retains much of what 
must always be highly valuable in that classic text-book. At the 
same time so many modifications and additions have been required 
to meet the needs of high schools to-day that a really new book is 
the result, and one that is fresh and modern in treatment, broad 
in scope, yet wisely restricted to parts of the subject appropriate for 
beginners. 
The most radical departure is in the laboratory studies, which in 
important ways improve upon previous attempts to solve the same 
pedagogical problems. Instead of being frequent interruptions to 
the text they are kept in sections by themselves, each preceding the 
section of text to which it relates. They consist of explicit direc- 
tions and skillfully worded questions leading the student to intelli- 
gent observation of readily obtainable material and to instructive 
experimentation. In addition to these aids to laboratory work 
many helpful suggestions to teachers are given in an appendix, 
while a number of good references for supplementary reading are 
included for the benefit of both teacher and pupil. 
In the text ecological considerations play an effective though 
subordinate part in accounting for peculiarities in the form and 
behavior of organs. Primarily, however, the study of the parts of 
plants is firmly grounded upon their morphology. A considerable 
number of new figures, all of high excellence, supplement or replace 
those of the Zessons. 
The work is sure to be heartily welcomed by a large number of 
teachers, whether among those who are struggling to make the best 
of meager equipment and much restricted time, or among those who 
are more fortunate in their opportunities. Those who use the book 
cannot fail to be impressed by the fine scientific spirit which ani- 
mates every page. F. L. SARGENT. 
Garden Beans.’ — Few attempts have been made to monograph 
the garden beans. The work of von Martens, Die Gartenbohnen, 
in 1860 seems to have been the only previous effort in this direction. 
1 Leavitt, Robert Greenleaf, A.M., of the Ames Botanical Laboratory. Out- 
lines of Botany, for the High School Laboratory and Classroom (based on Gray’s 
pm im Botany). Prepared at the request of the Botanical Department of 
arvard University. New York, American Book Company. 12mo, 372 pP- 
^ figs. 
*Irish, H.C. Garden Beans cultivated as Esculents, Report Missouri Botani- 
cal Garden, vol. xii, pp. 81-165, Pls. XXX VIII-XLVII. 
