THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



79 



combination. As a source of much light upon biological prob- 

 lems, however, the book is bound to be of great value. The 

 authors have a clear and original style that is sure to attract 

 the pupil and have included in the text much information relat- 

 ing to animals and plants that other authors have overlooked. 

 The book is especially full regarding the economic relations of 

 the forms discussed and ought to prove of interest to the 

 general reader. It contains 275 pages and is published by the 

 Macmillan Co., Xew York, at $1.40 net. 



The scientific names of plants, terrifying though they may 

 be to the uninitiated, are seldom regarded with much awe even 

 by the beginner, though he may possibly wonder what they are 

 all about. As his studies progress, he eventually recognizes 

 the meanings of the commoner terms, but it is only the unusual 

 student that ever masters all the technical terms applied to 

 plants. Those who have not the time to- trace out the meanings 

 of the terms in Latin and Greek dictionaries, will welcome a 

 new ''Dictionary of Botanical Terms" compiled by George 

 Frederick Zimmer and issued by E. P. Button & Co., New 

 York. In this little book are some seven thousand names 

 applied to plants with their meanings translated. In endeavor- 

 ing to make a book that even the beginner may understand, the 

 author has frequently given rather free translations, which in 

 some cases seem to be a bit wide of the mark, but if they do not 

 exactly define, they are not likely to confuse, and all who 

 delight to delve into the meaning of plant names will find this 

 an interesting aid. The price is $1.00 net. 



Ever since man ceased to be a savage, he has mixed with 

 his food a considerable number of plants that in themselves 

 have little food value, but which have been regarded highly for 

 the flavor and added palatableness which they give to more 

 important foods. An account of these plants has recently ap- 

 peared in book form under the title of "Culinary Herbs" bv 

 M. G. Kains, Associate Editor of the American Agriculturist. 



