TEACHERS DEPARTMENT. 
309 
gressions. Nor is his employment of a method of citation which is entirely 
unfamiliar to botanical usage, consistent or justifiable in such a book, even 
though it be admitted that “ the author of a new combination is not en¬ 
titled to the prominence which a double citation of authorities confers.” 
Not less confusing to the beginner will be some of the morphological in¬ 
consistencies, e. g., the statement that “ In our species of Lycopodium 
there is nothing that can be called a rootstock, unless we are inclined to 
call the main axis a combination of rootstock and stem ” followed by the 
line in the specific key, “Fertile and sterile stems erect; rootstock creep¬ 
ing.” The author had the opportunity to produce a book which would 
supply a real want among untrained fern students, but it must be said 
that his inability to lay aside his controversial spirit is chiefly responsible 
that the result is not more successful. T. E. Hazen. 
Methods in Plant Histology. By C. J. Chamberlain. Second Edition. 
8vo. Pp. 10 + 262, illustrated. $2.25 net. Chicago, Ills. University of 
Chicago Press. 
Dr. Chamberlain’s useful guide to microscopic work with plants is al¬ 
ready known to many teachers and students of botany and its value is 
acknowledged. The second edition, appearing four years after the first, 
is much richer, including as it does directions for collecting and for grow¬ 
ing laboratory materials. A full account of the new Venetian turpentine 
method is also given. The book ought without doubt to be in the pos¬ 
session of every botanical laboratory, and it will be indispensable to every 
worker in plant histology. L. 
A Nature Study of Maryland Plants is the title of Volume 2, Number 
1, of the Maryland Agricultural College Bulletin, April-June, 1905, by 
Frederick H. Blodgett. This is a pamphlet of 22 pages, richly illustrated 
with numerous half-tones, which will be helpful to the teacher in guiding 
her by suggesting what one may expect to find and what to look for dur¬ 
ing the days of spring. 
