204 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
" Strasburger's Text-Book of Botany." By Dr. H. Fitting, Dr. Ludwig 
Jost, Dr. H. Schenck, Dr. G. Karsten. Translated by Dr. W. H. Lang. Ed. 5. 
8vo. xi -f- 799 pp. (Macmillan, London, 1921.) 31s. 6d. net. 
That four editions of this book have been exhausted in England and thirteen 
in Germany shows the value of it for students' use, and indeed there is no better 
text-book in the English language. It has largely been rewritten, and complete 
new sections appear, so that the four original authors' work (Strasburger, Noll, 
Schenck, and Schimper) has been largely superseded, but the same general idea 
runs through the book and the same standard of excellence has been maintained 
with every part of the work brought up to date. It is doubtful whether the 
coloured figures of plants (especially of poisonous and officinal plants) add much 
to the value, although they must add considerably to the cost, of the book. 
"Pot Plants." By W. Truelove. 8vo. 31 pp. (Country Lifg* London, 
192 1.) Paper, gd. 
A very useful little book, full of sound hints for the amateur and the beginner 
in plant cultivation. 
" How to win Prizes at the Vegetable, Fruit, and Flower Show." By A. 
Keep. 8vo. 94 pp. (Pearson, London, 1921.) is. 6d , stiff covers. 
Whether exhibitor or not, the allotment holder and small cultivator of 
vegetables, fruits, and flowers will be able to learn much from this useful little 
book. 
" Illustrations of the Flowering Plants and Ferns of the Falkland Islands." 
By Mrs. E. F. Vallentin. With descriptions by Mrs. E. M. Cotton. 4to. 
64 coloured plates. (Lovell Reeve, London, 1921.) ^4 45. od. net. 
The flora of the Falkland Islands may be considered well known to taxonomic 
specialists, but a considerable need has been felt for an illustrated handbook for 
the use, more especially, of residents in the Colony. It is therefore additionally 
unfortunate that, owing to a serious breakdown in health, Mrs. Vallentin was 
unable to complete an illustrated flora of her native land. The single volume 
issued contains 64 plates, with one or occasionally two species of representative 
Falkland plants on each. An entire plant or typical branch is represented in 
colours, and is accompanied by valuable detailed dissections. The general style 
recalls the well-known Botanical Magazine plates. Short descriptions of the 
families, genera, and species are provided by Mrs. E. M. Cotton. 
The work contains many of the characteristic plants of the Falkland Islands, 
and must prove of great use to local naturalists, and also to taxonomists and 
geobotanists who have to investigate at second hand [problems involving the 
Falkland Islands flora. One notices at once, on looking through the plates, the 
absence of trees, the small number of shrubs, and the dominance of herbaceous 
perennials. The general vegetation is best described as a steppe, often merging 
into a heath, with many of the plants evergreen. The best recent accounts of 
the Falkland Islands vegetation are to be found in the works of Skottsberg 
(see Kew Bulletin, 1919, p. 274), and these will be read with additional interest 
by students who can, while reading, refer to Mrs. Vallentin's figures and the 
accompanying letterpress. 
"British Plants: their Biology and Ecology." By J. F. Bevis and H. J. 
Jeffery. Ed. 2. 8vo. xii-h 346 pp. (Methuen, London, 1921.) 7s. 6d. net. 
We are glad to see a second edition of this excellent introduction to the 
natural history of British flowering plants, for the authors approach their 
subject from the point of view of the plant as a living thing, in tune with its 
environment, and capable of adapting itself (within limits) to changes in that 
environment. This sane attitude is the one that must appeal most to the 
inquiring horticulturist who wishes to realize the sequence of life-processes in 
plants, and to him especially we commend it. The index is full, and an excellent 
bibliography adds to the value of the book. 
