REVIEWS OF BOO K 8, 



stock may be fixed in, at furthest, the third generation, or rather how the 

 fixed form may be with certainty isolated from the forms which still have 

 a mixed gametic constitution. Lastly ho considors the bearing of 

 Mendel's discoveries upon current biological conceptions ; and here if we 

 follow the laws to their logical conclusion we are bound to assume that 

 new characters have not arisen by small fluctuating variations, but by 

 mutation ; and when once a mutation has arisen selection alone can 

 eliminate it. How and why these mutations arise is a problem that 

 remains to be solved. All interested in the progress of what may prove 

 to be one of the most far-reaching investigations man lias ever entered 

 upon should read this little essay. 



"Introduction to Elementary Botany." By Charlotte; L. Laurie, 

 8vo., 84 pp. (Allman & Son, Lond( n.) la. net. 



This little book is intended for children, and the structure of plants, so 

 far as can be made out without the aid of a microscope;, is dealt with in 

 simple language, the author having wisely drawn upon the commonest 

 plants for her illustrations. There are interesting chapters on " The Use 

 Plants make of Animals," "The Work of Wind in Plant Life/ 1 and 

 " The Homes of Plants." The chapter on " Protective Structures of 

 Plants" seems to need revision: coltsfoot is not typical of dry soils, but 

 rather of damp, heavy soils, and protection through mimetic resemblance 

 in the case of the dead nettle and the stinging-nettle requires proof. 

 The illustrations by Miss Boys- Smith are for the most part excellent and 

 really illustrate the text. We, however, miss the barren node of the 

 strawberry-runner (fig. 9), and should not have recognised the insect with 

 the humorous expression depicted in fig. 26 as a bee. There is a good 

 index. The book is one that can be trusted to awake and maintain 

 interest in the common plants of field and wood, and to lead to a desire 

 for greater knowledge. 



"Elementary Botany." By M. A. Liversidge. 8vo., YAH pp. 

 (Blackie k Son.) Is, &d. net. 



Nearly all teachers of botany appear to think it incumbent upon 

 them to produce a text-book. It is probably true that no teacher finds 

 a text-book exactly suited to his needs, and this is a good sign. We 

 suppose it is indicative of a vastly increased study of plant life that 

 so many publishers are i< und willing to issue new botany books, and 

 for this we are thankful. This book is no better and no worse than 

 many that have gone before. We could have wished to find in an 

 elementary course for children, to be spread over three years, something 

 more of the modern spirit of teaching and something of the ecological 

 point of view. We think, too, that the intricacies of the microscopic 

 structure of roots and stems might well be left to a later period in such 

 a course than the first year. Some of the illustrations are new. 



"Plant Biology." By Professor P. Cavers, I). Sc. Hvo., 1(50 pp. 

 (W. B. Clive, Londen.) 8*. 6d. 



It is refreshing to take up a book on elementary botany that presents 

 any new features of value. By following the dictates of modern 



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