104 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of the triumph of the living organisms over the conditions and forces 

 which make up their environment." 



In the first 217 pages the author gives an exceedingly interesting 

 account of the anatomy of plants, first studying that exceeding complex 

 thing, the simple plant-cell, and then proceeding to a discussion of the 

 structure, origin, and function of the different plant-tissues. Each 

 chapter has instructions for practical work to illustrate, by well-chosen 

 examples, the matters enlarged upon in the text. The latter part of the 

 book is occupied by instructions for carrying out practical work with the 

 microscope and a long list of reagents and their uses, and a chapter on 

 the micro-chemistry of plant products. Such a course as that contained 

 in this book is admirably suited for more advanced students. 



"A Text-book of Botany." By Dr. E. Strasburger, Dr. H. Schenck, 

 Dr. F. Noll, and Dr. G. Karsten. Third English edition revised with the 

 eighth German edition by W. H. Lang, M.B., D.Sc, with 779 illustrations, 

 in part coloured. 8vo., 746 pp. (Macmillan, London, 1908.) 18s. net. 



This well-known and excellent text-book has been brought thoroughly 

 up to date ; a great deal has been rewritten. Perhaps the relative 

 proportions — dealing with Morphology (external, 51 pages, internal, 

 131 pages) and Physiology (131 pages), while Classification has 425 

 pages — are somewhat unequal, and we should have liked to see the 

 principles of ecology introduced ; but there appears to be little or no 

 reference to this most important aspect of botany. Though the mono- 

 cotyledons are placed as preceding dicotyledons, it is suggested (p. 522) 

 that the former may have descended from the polycarpic dicotyledons ; 

 but no reference is made to the innumerable points of coincidence 

 between the structure (both external and internal) of monocotyledons 

 with aquatic dicotyledons, e.g., the rhizome of Nymphaea being altogether 

 similar to that of a monocotyledon. 



"Elementary Botany, Theoretical and Practical." By H. Edmonds. 

 New edition, thoroughly revised, by Dr. J. Bretland Farmer, F.R.S. 

 8vo., 282 pp. (Longmans, London, 1907.) 2s. 6d. 



This now well-known little book, having the advantage of Professor 

 Farmer's revision, may safely be regarded as admirably adapted for its 

 purpose, viz., " to completely cover the syllabus of the Oxford and 

 Cambridge Local Examinations." 



The ground covered takes us from the seed and its germination to 

 the study of roots, stems, buds, leaves, inflorescence, fruits, and seeds. 

 Physiology is dealt with in terse paragraphs. But something more is 

 wanted. Having learnt all about the plant in the laboratory, the meaning 

 of structures, their origins and adaptations to the plant's own life in 

 nature should be pursued, for this should be the end and aim of all 

 plant-study. 



" A School Flora." By W. M. Watts, D.Sc. 8vo., 199 pp. (Long- 

 mans, London, 190(1.) 3s. Gd. 



The first edition of this little work was published twenty years ago, 

 and nearly a generation of young botanists have to thank it for the 

 assistance it has given them in "running down" the plants they 



