120 
THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
There is an individuality about the trees not possessed 
by lesser forms of vegetation and this doubtless accounts 
for the large number of books about trees that have 
appeared wathin the past few years. A handy volume on 
the British arborescent flora for comparison with these is 
Step's ''Wayside and Woodland Trees." This appears to 
have had a great vogue on the other side having alread}^ 
reached a second impression. The plan of the book is the 
same as that followed in previous books by this author, 
there being 185 illustrations of the trees with their leaves 
and fruit. In most instances views of the trunk at close 
quarters, as well as the tree as a w^hole, are shown, the 
leaves and fruit being given in separate illustrations. The 
text is of a popular nature. The points by which the trees 
may be known are dwelt upon, but for the most part the 
things that make the trees attractive to the rambler have 
first place. (New York, Frederick Warne & Co., $1.75 
net.) 
The Iris has justly been called "the poor man's 
orchid." No other flower is at once so orchid-like and so 
varied in showy coloring. A majority of the species are 
quite hardy and when once planted will grow and increase 
in beauty for years. The cultural features of these flowers 
are discussed at great length in "The Book of the Iris" 
by Irwin Lynch, which is the twenty-first A^olume in John 
Lane's "Handbooks of Practical Gardening." Beginning 
with the structure and Natural history of the iris flower, 
the author takes up the iris garden, and the general culti- 
vation of the various divisions of the genus. There is also 
chapters on hybrids and diseases of the plants. The 
greater part of the book, however, is devoted to a descrip- 
tion of all the species, varieties and hybrids with directions 
for cultivating each. A series of excellent keys will enable 
the cultivator to identify his specimens. There are up- 
wards of two hundred pages in the book and thirty-six 
illustrations. (New York, John Lane, 1904, $1.00.) 
