— II — 
been described, but we question whether it would have been the better for it, 
possibly not so good. This work is to be regarded rather as an adjunct to a 
systematic treatise than of a complete or systematic treatise in itself. The 
author is a teacher, and as such appeals to methods. In Mosses with Hand- 
Lens and Microscope, how to study mosses to the best advantage is the 
object to be attained; and properly so, for usually after we learn “how,” 
the results promptly follow. Considerable pains has been taken to blaze the 
way for an understanding of such difficult genera as 07'thotricJmm, Bryum 
and Amblystegiiim. The treatment of these must be considered a model of 
perspicuity. We welcome this work as being by far the best contribution 
yet made to American bryology. G. N. Best. 
REVIEWS OF CURRENT LITERATURE. 
The Mosses collected by the last French Ant arctic Expediti07i, under 
the direction of Dr. Jean M. Charcot, extending from 1903 to 1905, have been 
elaborated by M, Jules Cardot, and are published under the auspic.es of the 
Minister of Public Instruction of France. In point of number of species this 
collection is not very important, only 18 species being reported by M. Cardot. 
One new species, Brachytheciu77i Turqueti, is illustrated. But, while the 
number of species is small, the light thrown by these collections made under 
such trying climatic conditions, upon the struggle of organisms through the 
antarctic cold is interesting. M. Cardot, through whose hands have passed 
all the bryological antarctic collections of recent years, in this report sums 
up the present status of our knowledge, showing that only 51 species of 
mosses are known from the Antarctic Regions, 24, or nearly half of which, 
are endemic. But of these, M. Cardot shows, several species are in truth 
polar representatives of species belonging outside the antarctic zone. And 
here he mentions Dicra7i7i77i Norde7iskioldii Card., as modified from D. 
aciphyllu77i Hook. f. et Wils. ; Polytrichu77i a7it arcticu77i Card., from P. 
pilifern77i Schreb., and Brachytheciui7i a7itarcticu77i Card., certain forms 
of which he points out approach closely to B. georgico-glareosti77i (C.M.) 
Paris. And possibly also Bryni7i a77iblyolepis Card, belongs here, since it 
may be considered a race, or subspecies of B. arge7iteni7i L, Yet all these 
plants, the author points out, show characters sufficiently important to entitle 
them to rank as distinct species. John M. Holztnger. 
P. S. The public press of Feb. 12, 1910, reports from Valparaiso, Chili, 
of the French Antarctic Expedition as again in the field under Charcot, that 
it has “reached lat, 10 ° S.. long. 126° W., and discovered 120 miles of new 
land to the west and south of Alexander Island.” 
Mr. Cardot has also completed his report on the Mosses collected on the 
National Antarctic Expedition in the steamer Discovery. At the five stations 
established by the Discovery, seven species of mosses were collected, two of 
which are new ; Didy77iodo7i ge lidus Q,a.rd.., 2 a:id. Bry7i7n atgc7is These 
are described and figured in two plates. In the Bulletin de I’Herbier 
Boissier, of 190S, No. 2, M. Cardot describes a new dicranacious genus. 
