Am.  Jour.  Pharra.  \ 
November,  1896.  J 
Reviews. 
631 
will  greatly  enhance  the  value  of  the  work  to  the  students  of  these  difficult 
groups.  No  matter  how  carefully  the  descriptions  are  worded,  the  idea  is  im- 
pressed more  positively  and  permanently  by  illustration. 
The  order  of  presentation  of  subjects  is  in  accordance  with  the  classification 
adopted  by  Engler  and  Prantl  in  Natiirliche  Pflanzenfamilien^  and  now  very 
generally  followed  in  the  recent  floras  of  European  publication,  the  sequence 
being  from  plants  of  simple  structure  to  those  of  the  more  complex.  Excellent 
keys  are  provided  to  aid  the  student  in  analysing  plants. 
The  volume  before  us  commences  with  the  Pteridophyta,  and  this  sub-king- 
dom is  considered  in  48  pages.  In  the  sub-kingdom  Spermatophyta,  the 
Gymnospermse  are  first  considered,  and  Pinacese  replaces  Coniferae  as  the 
name  of  the  Pine  family.  « 
The  assistance  of  such  able  specialists  as  Porter,  Bicknell,  Underwood, 
Coville,  Small,  Nash,  Scribner,  Sheldon  and  the  late  Rev.  Thos.  Morong,  adds 
additional  authority  to  the  volume. 
The  rules  of  nomenclature  of  the  Botanical  Club  of  the  American  Association 
for  the  Advancement  of  Science  are  rigidly  adhered  to,  even  to  the  acceptance 
of  such  binomials  as  Fagopyrum  Fagopyrum,  Corallorhiza  Corallorhiza,  Phe- 
gopteris  Phegopteris,  Hystrix  Hystrix,  etc.  It  is  fortunate  that  such  binomials 
are  not  very  numerous.  The  many  changes  in  names  necessitated  by  the  law 
of  priority  are  here  given,  and,  accompanied  by  the  extensive  synonymy,  will 
render  the  work  invaluable  to  a  host  of  botanists  who  want  to  follow  a  standard 
authority,  and  have  neither  time  nor  desire  to  make  a  special  study  of  synon- 
ymy and  priorit}7. 
The  accentuation  of  both  generic  and  specific  names  is  carefully  noted  in 
each  instance,  in  accordance  with  the  rules  laid  down  in  the  introduction. 
Popular  English  names  are  given  for  each  species,  and  where  several  names 
are  used  locally  for  the  same  plant,  the  most  desirable  is  selected,  or,  where  a 
good  popular  name  does  not  exist,  a  suitable  name  is  coined.  Whi.e  such 
names  are  not  essential  to  the  botanist,  it  behooves  us  to  exert  our  influence  in 
favor  of  having  correct  popular  names  universally  adopted. 
The  geographical  distribution  for  each  species  is  carefully  noted,  and  in 
some  cases  the  authorities  for  such  statements  are  quoted.  The  limits  of  alti- 
tude are,  wherever  possible,  given,  and  this  is  a  feature  which,  heretofore,  has 
not  received  proper  consideration  in  American  botanies. 
This  work  should  tend  to  greatly  popularize  the  study  of  plants.  The  price, 
$3,  is  very  moderate  for  such  a  comprehensive  volume,  and  every  botanist 
should  subscribe  at  once  for  it,  so  as  to  encourage  the  authors  and  publishers 
to  promptly  issue  the  remaining  two  volumes.  We  await  their  appearance, 
convinced  in  advance  that  they  will  merit  the  same  welcome  and  approval  that 
Volume  I  has  received.  G.  M.  B. 
A  Manual  of  Materia  Mkdica  and  Pharmacology.  By  David  M.  R. 
Culbreth,  Ph.G\,  M.D.,  Professor  of  Botany,  Materia  Medica  and  Pharmacog- 
nosy in  the  Maryland  College  of  Pharmacy.  L,ea  Bros.  &  Co.,  Philadelphia 
and  New  York.    1896.    Pp.  818. 
Part  I  is  devoted  to  organic  drugs  from  the  vegetable  kingdom,  and  consti- 
tutes the  bulk  of  the  book,  or  555  pages.  Part  II  treats  of  organic  drugs  from 
the  animal  kingdom.    Part  III  is  devoted  to  inorganic  drugs  from  the  mineral 
