90 



BOOK NOTICES. 



work, for, although the former is of the greatest value to students who 

 are fortunate in receiving instruction in a properly equipped laboratory 

 — yet, to the private worker who has not these advantages, Stras- 

 burger's ^Hand-book' is likely to produce more profitable results, 

 both on account of its numerous illustrations and the charmingly 

 lucid style which must render it intelligible to the greatest novice. 



As an introduction to the volume, is given a general outline of 

 the appliances necessary for the practical study of the minute 

 structure of plants. Then, after a description of the construction 

 and manipulation of the compound microscope, the student is 

 introduced to the subject proper by the examination of a simple 

 object — starch grains being chosen, — and here all important details 

 as to methods of preparation and requirements for clear definition of 

 the object are enumerated. The work assumes on the part of the 

 worker entire ignorance as to the use of instruments, etc., and 

 instruction in numerous matters of technique is given in the early 

 chapters simultaneously with the investigation of such subjects as 

 alemone grains, crystalloids, movements of protoplasm, colouring 

 matters, structure of tissues, etc. The cryptogams receive a fair 

 share of attention, and the chapters dealing with the structure and 

 reproduction of Ferns, Mosses, Fungi, and Algae will be of much use. 

 A section devoted to Bacteria is of special interest and value, for 

 here is given not only an excellent concise account of the different 

 developmental 'forms,' but the methods of research and 'culture' 

 are so admirably and clearly enunciated, that the student would have 

 little difficulty in prosecuting research for himself. The book closes 

 with a chapter on ' cell-division,' which will be especially acceptable, 

 coming as it does from such an eminent authority on the subject as 

 the author of ' Zellbildung und Zelltheilung.' 



In a work of such limited dimensions the descriptions are 

 necessarily brief and to the point, but there is quite enough to enable 

 the diligent student to acquire a tolerably extensive knowledge of 

 vegetable structure and methods of work. It is an advantage of no 

 mean importance to be initiated into methods of research which have 

 been employed with such conspicuous success by one of the greatest 

 living masters of the subject. Another noteworthy useful feature is 

 the list of materials required for study, which is given at the head of 

 each chapter, and it will be noticed that these are mostly selected 

 from objects which can be obtained without difficulty. The translator 

 is perfectly correct in stating that the work has no counterpart in the 

 English language, and we predict for it a hearty reception in this 

 country.- — A.D. 



Naturalist, 



