BOOK EEVIEWS. 



259 



biolGgy primers, and in the drawings of apparatus in that on 

 chemistry. 



In the preface to the botany primer the author advises that the 

 primers should be read in the following order : (1) Chemistry, (2) Biology, 

 (3) Botany. This valuable advice to the beginner will save him great 

 labour and disappointment. 



The authors are masters of their respective subjects, and deal with 

 them in such a way as to be understood by the veriest beginner who seeks 

 for knowledge. That on chemistry is written by Professor Tilden, that 

 on biology by Professor Harvey Gibson, and that on botany by Professor 

 Reynolds Green. 



"Fossil Plants." Sixty photographs illustrating the Flora of the 

 Coal-measures. By E. A. Newell Arber, M.A., F.Z.S., F.G.S. 18mo., 

 75 pp. (Go wans & Gray, London, 1909.) 6d. net. 



This little book consists of photographs of fossil plants from the Coal- 

 measures, with a series of short non-technical descriptions by an eminent 

 palaeobotanist at the end. We have' spent many hours collecting speci- 

 mens of these plants both above and underground, and we do not hesitate 

 to say that the photographs are remarkably true and clear in every detail. 

 It is a wonderful sixpennyworth. 



"A First Book of Botany." By Elizabeth Healey, A.R.O.So. 

 Sm. 8vo., 142 pp. (Macmillan, London, 1909.) Is. 6d. 



A " first book " of botany is one requiring the art of omission. When 

 there is such a wealth of matter, the greater is the difficulty in so 

 choosing as to cover the ground with regard to essentials, and yet be 

 seasonal in arrangement. We think in this case the choice is well 

 graduated, and the specimens, with one exception, easily obtainable. The 

 practical work suggested at the end of each chapter is excellent. 



Where matter and arrangement are so good, one is loth to complain ; 

 yet we think the illustration on p. 40 is far from clear, particularly the 

 tubers and the roots. We would like to see the illustrations of the hazel 

 and the birch, and in fact all the details of the trees mentioned, on a 

 larger scale. It is a book we can strongly recommend to beginners in 

 botany. 



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

 By C. S. Cooper, F.R.H.S., and W. Percival Westall, F.L.S. 4to. Parts 

 2-11. 214 pp. in each. (Dent, London, 1909.) Each Is. net. 



The first part of this work was reviewed when published, and now 

 ten further parts have appeared. 



The greater parts of the numbers from two to seven are taken up 

 with carefully prepared chapters on insect and fungoid pests and on 

 insecticides and fungicides. As usual, the descriptions of the trees and 

 shrubs are condensed and to the point, while the many beautiful illustra- 

 tions, which have been prepared with the minutest care, cannot fail to 

 render the book when completed a reference work of no mean order. 



It must not be taken for granted that all the shrubs of which 



