Practical Botany. By E. Strasburger. Edited from the German by
W. Hillhouse. (Swan Sonnensohein, Lowrey, and Co.)—The title of this volume should have been "Practical Microscopical Botany," as it deals only with the histological department, and such forms as Alga;, Fungi, and Diatomacere. There are some thirty chapters, each of which contains several home' work for the student, who will have the advantage of a method carefully arranged by one of the greatest experts in botany, and of an incitement to original research which a less thorough system would fail to give. We expected that more attention would have been paid to the manipulation of prepara- tions, assuming, as the author does, that the book is for beginners. The range of subject-matter is wide, from starch to bacteria, the relations of structure and function are treated with singular clearness and power, as we might expect from a microscopical observer of such eminence as Professor Strasbarger. Nor must we forget the editor, who, besides the usual difficulties of such a position, has that of terminology in addition. The great German investigators have carried this particular branch of the science to a somewhat com- plicated perfection, which, with the necessity, in the present case at least, of following closely the author's method in his own manner, has considerably added to the burden of the editor. We venture to say that the book will have a hearty welcome, coming as it does with the guarantee of a great name on it. An index and a list of plants and re-agents complete what should prove a guide of great use to the student.
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