Nos. 455-456.] TES A ND LITER A TURE. 



BOTANY. 



Bog-Trotting for Orchids ^ is the title of a popular book dealing 

 with the swamp flora of the Hoosac Valley. It gives a pleasant, 

 diary-like acci t f th il \ rambles for three seasons, in the 

 course of which are given descriptions and other information regard- 

 mg her various finds. An appendix of 44 pages presents a system- 

 atic account of the genera and species of New England Orchidacese, 

 and there is an admirably full index. The illustrations are photo- 

 graphic, many of them excellent; some are colored, not always to 

 advantage, and a considerable proportion are of landscape views or 

 objects other than orchids. As one reads the rambling narrative 



to get refreshing whiffs of out-door air. Despite occasional inac- 

 curacies, showing the lack of expert revision, and the inclusion of 

 considerable material of rather more personal than general interest, 

 the book has the charm and value which belong to a faithful record 

 of first-hand impressions, and which will doubtless render it an 

 inspiring help to many amateurs. 



F. L. S. 



Agriculture for Schools.— Two interesting attempts to meet the 

 demand for instruction in matters of special importance to farm- 

 ing communities, are found in a handbook of exercises edited by 

 Prof. Hays2 and an elementary text-book by Profs. Burkett, Stevens 

 and Hill.3 



The hand-book consists of 237 exercises of an eminently practical 

 nature as may be judged from the following sample titles taken at 

 random: Food stored in seeds; Making maps of public roads ; 

 Transpiration of w^ater by plants ; Teeth of domestic animals ; Bow- 

 line knot ; Sharpening pocket knives ; Classes of chickens ; Classi- 



' Niles, Grace Q.X2.^\oc\^.— Bog-Trotting for Orchids. New York, C. P. Put- 

 nam^s Sons, 1904. xiv + ^'f^^.' Bulletin No i Exercises in 



