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PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XIV, October I960 
Other significant points brought out are the need for monographic studies, rather than hap- 
hazard or localized floristic articles; the utilization of all sources of information; the synthesis, as 
well as the analysis, of data; brevity and clarity; conservative and meaningful taxonomy. 
An interesting aspect of the work is the fact that at present it is printed entirely in English, 
even though begun primarily by Dutch scientists. Equally valuable is the area encompassed by the 
contents, including Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Celebes, the Malayan peninsula, the Philippines, New 
Guinea, and the myriad lesser islands in this vast area. That political boundaries have been over- 
looked in the favor of natural biogeographical areas is further evidence of the wise and broad per- 
spective of the editor and his staff. 
In the revisions, very full keys are presented, often two or three for each genus, in order to 
make as easy as possible the identification of spec mens, whether sterile, in flower, or in fruit. The 
completeness of the documentation is beyond r proach. Synonymy is included. Illustrations are 
numerous; photographs and line drawings, both of very high quality, add a great deal to the value 
of the revisions. A few new species are described in the revisions. 
To date, mainly the smaller families have been treated, but several moderately large groups — 
the Burseraceae, Flacourtiaceae, and Rhizophoraceae — have been completed. They are published as 
they are completed, rather than in any particular order. This procedure allows for the completion 
of volumes of comparable size in serial order, rather than bringing out innumerable small un- 
bound parts belonging to widely scattered volumes. The binding is in handsome green leatherette 
and seems to be durable. The paper is of a high quality off -white nonglossy rag stock. 
The only serious drawback to the work lies in its high cost, which in the United States amounts 
to between $20 and $30 per volume. Because of the withdrawal of government support by the 
Indonesian government, the price was raised beyond early expectations. Nonetheless, the intrinsic 
value of the work, together with the fact that payment for future volumes will be extended over a 
period of years, somewhat mollifies even the private buyer. For universities, museums, libraries, 
and most taxonomists or other botanists interested in the Malaysian flora, the acquisition of the 
series is almost mandatory. The series, when completed, undoubtedly will be the standard reference 
work of its type for the area for centuries to come. 
