214 



The Plant World. 



i The development of a formation is the result of certain 

 processes which might well be called functions of this complex 

 organism. These have been fully set forth by the author in 

 previous publications. Without further reference to these ex- 

 cept to the matter of succession it may be said that the latter is 

 of primary importance from the view-point both of the ecologist 

 and the forester. It is accordingly considered at some length 

 with reference to the works of Steenstrup, Berg, and other 

 European foresters and the more recent works of Graves and 

 Zon in relation to forest types. As pointed out by Dr. Clements 

 the application of the methods of forest types to forestry brings 

 it into harmony with the fundamental principles of ecology. It 

 places forester and ecologist upon the same basis in so far as 

 the study of forest vegetation is concerned, and means that each 

 will inevitably share more and more the view of the other. Both 

 must bear in mind constantly that reproduction, development 

 and succession are at bottom the same great process directly 

 connected with the habitat factors which are its causes, just as 

 the formational factors are its results. The paper amply justi- 

 fies the contention of the forest ecologist that the time for 

 thorough-going investigation to lay securely and permanently 

 the foundations of practical forestry is fully come. 



NOTES AND COMMENT. 



The steps recently taken by Harvard and Johns Hopkins 

 Universities in providing for the development of plant physiology 

 is of such interest and importance as to call for more than passing 

 notice. The former has long been recognized as one of the oldest 

 centers of botanical teaching and research in the United States, 

 while the latter has only in recent years had a botanical depart- 

 ment, vet both institutions have indicated in a way that should 

 command the attention of the younger botanists of the country 

 what sort of men and what sort of preparation is now called for 

 in universities that attempt the difficult task of making adequate 

 provision for this branch of the science. Accordingly, it seems 



