430 
Analyses of Books. July> 
is absorbed and carbonic acid given off, and that consequently in 
an atmosphere of pure carbonic acid they are suffocated, as are 
animals, is brought into notice. This is of the more importance 
since many well-educated persons still apply the term “ lespiia- 
tion n to the process in which plants take up carbonic acid and 
give off free oxygen. 
In speaking of nitrogen, the authors say “ Whether non- 
parasitic plants absorb nitrogen also in the form of certain 
organic compounds is still undetermined.” This eiror the editor 
corrects by reference to the carnivorous plants, such as Drosera, 
which absorb through their leaves nitrogenous substances “ by a 
process of true digestion, precisely analogous to the digestion of 
animals, due to the presence of a ferment analogous with 
pepsine.” . 
The function of inserts in the fecundation of plants, and the 
habit of bees to visit in succession many flowers of the same 
kind, so that the pollen is not wasted, are admitted as fully 
established. . , 
The efferts of temperature, both upon germination and the 
maintenance of plant-life, are considered at some length. The 
editor adds in a footnote that some fungi, barteria, and fungus- 
spores are able to withstand a temperature of nearly or quite 
that of boiling water. From the experiments of Dallinger and 
Drysdale it would appear that certain microphytes are not killed 
at temperatures below 300° F. „ 
The authors do well to point out that the term ‘‘chemical rays 
of light, as applied to the blue, violet, and ultra-violet radiations, 
is inaccurate and misleading, and should be abandoned. We do 
not see that, whilst expounding the efterts of light upon vegeta- 
tion, they mention that an excess of light, even when uncon- 
nected with heat, is distinctly injurious. 
We are somewhat surprised to meet with the statement (p. 194) 
that in hybrids “the power of propagation is commonly defective, 
and they are often altogether infertile.” Many observers, in- 
cluding the eminent botanist Prof. Meehan, maintain, on the 
contrary, that among vegetable hybrids fertility is the rule and 
sterility the exception. . 
The abnormal vital phenomena of plants, and their consequent 
abnormal developments, are very ably described. The same must 
be said of the peculiar diseases of plants, chiefly due to the attacks 
of vegetable and animal parasites. 
As believers in the sugar-cane and its true sugar, we aie not 
sorry to learn that a destructive fungus has attacked the beet. 
Eagerly as we long for the rout of the phylloxeia, the potato- 
disease, and the blights affecting the coffee and the peach-trees, 
we hope no less devoutly that the beet disease may spread, and 
that “ betose ” may disappear from the earth. _ n 
In the section on “ Special Morphology and Classification 
we must note the very considerable space now devoted to the 
