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About twenty years ago Mr. Geo. E. Davenport began a 

 Text Pook of North American Ferns, which was laid aside when 

 nearly completed. He has recently taken up the work again and 

 it is expected that the book will soon appear. Mr. Davenport de- 

 sires authentic lists of ferns from all localities. Here is a chance 

 for some ot our readers to render valuable assistance. 



In " Mosses With a Hand Lens,' * Dr. Grout has put out an 

 excellent little volume which will no doubt go a long way toward 

 popularizing the study of mosses. One hundred of the most eas- 

 ily recognized species, representing more than forty genera, have 

 been selected, and described in such a way that they may be 

 identified wichout the use of a compound microscope. The book 

 is exceptionally well illustrated and between text and illustration 

 the beginner is likely to get a very good idea of our moss flora. 

 Two good keys are given, one based on structural characters, the 

 other on habitat, etc. There is also an illustrated glossary of a 

 dozen pages, which cannot fail of being helpful to any student of 

 the mosses. 



Increasing interest in the study of fungi is bringing many 

 new books into the field, but few of them pay much attention to 

 the needs of the individual who wants to know, first of all, what a 

 mushroom is. His wants, however, may now be satisfied by a 

 handy little volume entitled "Among the Mushrooms,"! designed 

 expressly for beginners and written by those who apparently have 

 had their own early experiences well in mind. The book is full 

 of the right kind of information and might without impropriety 

 be called an introduction to the text-books. The matter is, for 

 the most part, clear and intelligible, although cast in untechnical 

 terms. The first part is devoted to the structure and growth of 

 mushrooms, and is followed by a classification and description of 

 the more noticeable and important kinds. There are several keys, 

 by one or another of which the student should be able to discover 

 the names and properties of his specimens. There is also a good 

 glossary. The book contains nine plates from photographs and 

 three in color. It will no doubt have a large sale. 



*" Mosses With a Hand Lens," by A. J. Grout, 360 Lenox Road, Flat- 

 bush, N. Y. Published by the author, igoo. 13 mo., pp. 70. Price, $1.10. 



1 Among the Mushrooms ; a guide for beginners. By Ellen M. Dallas 

 and Caroline A. Burgin. Philadelphia : Drexel Biddle, igoo. 12 mo., pp. 

 175. Price, $1.50. 



