BOOK REVIEWS. 



67 



Lycopodiales stress is laid on the development of the "seed habit" in 

 plants (Lepidocarpon and Miadesmia) which are remote from the main 

 line of the descent of seed-bearing families. Necessarily, the chapters 

 on Paleozoic ferns have been much altered, descriptions of many " fern 

 fronds" and "fern impressions" being transferred to Pa'rt II., since 

 many of these fossil " ferns " have now been shown to be Pteridosperms. 



The ferns proper receive full and accurate treatment ; doubtful cases 

 are discussed and the new work on the Botryopterideae is thoroughly well 

 described and critically considered. The book is admirably illustrated by 

 photographs reproduced from original papers and by clear drawings by 

 Mrs. D. H. Scott and Mr. G. T. Gwilliam. It is a work which will make 

 the reader impatient for Part II., and we trust that in view of the im- 

 portance of recent work on Fossil Spermaphyta the publication of the 

 second volume will not be long delayed. 



M Trees and Shrubs of the British Isles, Native and Acclimatised." By 

 C. S. Cooper, F.R.H.S., and W. Percival Westell, F.L.S. Part I. 4to., 

 xii + 12 pp. (Dent, London, 1909). Is. net. 



Though there is little new in this book, yet the minutely accurate and 

 beautifully executed illustrations — indeed the whole get up of the work 

 — should recommend it to everyone who is interested in the trees and 

 shrubs that have been found suitable for cultivation in this country. The 

 work is to be completed in sixteen parts, and if the succeeding 

 numbers be equal to the first the whole will form a useful book, 

 while the low price will bring it within the reach of all. We are 

 promised chapters on almost every subject bearing on trees and shrubs 

 — soils, planting, insect and fungoid pests, the age of trees, commercial 

 products, plea for an Arbor Day, seed, re-afforestation. Than the 

 coloured picture of the strawberry tree (Arbutus Unedo) which 

 accompanies the first part of the book nothing more accurate or 

 beautiful could be desired. 



" Our Forests and Woodlands." By John Nisbet. New and revised 

 edition. 8vo., 348 pp. (Dent, London, 1909.) 3s. M. net. 



If only for the chapter on " Ancient and Modern Forestry" this book is 

 well worth perusal, and Mr. Nisbet is certainly to be congratulated on the 

 result of his research in that way, for a fuller account of the rise and 

 progress of forestry in this country has not before appeared. W'e would 

 strongly recommend everyone who has an interest in forestry to read 

 the chapter. Regarding the rest of the book, there is nothing new, the 

 descriptions of our commonly cultivated trees and the uses to which the 

 timbers are applied being old news re-garnished and freshly dished up. 

 The work is pleasantly written, sparsely illustrated, and being cheap will 

 come within the reach of all. 



" The Moths of the British Isles." By R. South, F.E.S. Second series. 

 8vo., 376 pp. (Warne, London, 1908.) 7s. 6d. net. 



Messrs. Warne have recently published the second series of " The 

 Moths of the British Isles comprising the families Noctuidae to Hepialidae," 



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