264 
THE PLANT WORLD. 
covers the entire range of the plant kingdom. Every advancing teacher 
should become, not only familiar with its pages, but imbued with its 
spirit. C. S. G. 
Outlines for Field Studies of Some Common Plants. 2d Edition revised. 
51 pp. i2mo. By C. H. Robison. Privately printed, Oak Park, Ill. 
Many teachers are familiar with the author’s first edition of this work 
and will welcome the fuller revised form in which it now appears, and 
which deserves wide circulation and a thorough trial. The outlines are, 
for the class of pupils for which they are intended, sufficiently difficult— 
certainly they are not too difficult—and compass a very fair amount of 
work. Part of the studies called for are of the nature of experimental 
ecology to be carried on in the field. As an example of this one may cite 
the first lesson on day and night positions of the clover leaf—one of the 
best of them all. One might wish that the spirit of this exercise were 
more evident throughout, for in it the author strikes a distinctly modern note 
in botanical pedagogy: the plant is to be viewed as a living thing. Other 
parts are somewhat more commonplace in the sense that they differ less 
from the usual text book directions. They, however, doubtless serve a 
purpose of convenience in the scheme. Those teachers whose experience 
has not made them familiar with field methods or who are casting about 
for suggestions for the formulation of outlines for field excursions will 
find a material help in the pages here briefly reviewed. A second part, 
which we have not seen, is entitled “ Spring Flower Studies,” and appears 
separately bound. 
My Own Book of Three Flowers which Blossom in April. My Own Book 
of Three Flowers zvhich Blossom in May. By Anna Botsford Com¬ 
stock. New York: American Book Co. 1904. 30 pp. each, bound in 
one pamphlet. 
Embodies a unique idea in nature study. The April flowers are Hepatica, 
Spring-Beauty, and Adder’s Tongue. The May flowers, Squirrel Corn, 
Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Trillium. For each plant a series of questions are 
asked, the answers to which the pupil must find in the specimen itself. 
There are blank pages for additional notes, and leaves of drawing paper 
for sketches. Conventional decorative designs made from each plant are 
given, and the pupil is expected to originate others. Thus correlation 
with drawing is secured. A very attractive and practical little pamphlet. 
G. S. G. 
