Page:Journal of botany, British and foreign, Volume 34 (1896).djvu/159

 LESSONS IN ELEMENTARY BOTANY FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 189 student of natural science is that descriptive of the motile stages of these organisms, and to the general biologist the observations on the phenomena accompanying karyokinesis. But the exigencies of space prevent a fuller reference to these subjects, and the nominal price of the Guide places it within the reach of all. Suffice it to say that, taking the work as a whole, it stands as a monument of careful and original research, and marks an important stage in the advance of our knowledge of the Mycetozoa. The Trustees of the British Museum are to be thanked for having produced so desirable a book at so trifling a cost : specimens of the illustrations accompany this notice. J. S. Lessons in Elementary Botany for Secondary Schools. By Thomas H. Macbride. Boston : Allyn & Bacon. 1896. 8vo, pp. xi, 233. Price 60 cents. This little book is essentially practical. " We have before us," says the author in his preface, "the spectacle of a great nation, absolutely ignorant of the principles of forestry. If the schools can so shape botanical instruction as to make it practical in the direction of a better appreciation of the value of a tree, they may in so doing advance not the cause of science only, but of humanity." This statement comes as an apology for beginning with the trees, a convenient arrangement as regards supply of specimens, since in most American high schools Botany is studied in the last half-year, beginning about Feb. 1st. The teacher who has conscientiously led his class through the fifty-four lessons laid down here will have the satisfaction of feeling that he has done a great deal towards training their observing powers, and inculcating a love of nature in the boys and girls placed under his care, and something towards checking the pitiful indifference to the value of their forests, to which the author has referred. It is cheering to read such directions as " Let the pupils go to the field and examine all accessible woody stems, to prepare a report, noting," &c. The first fifteen lessons are occupied with the vegetative organs, four with the flower, fruit, and seed, the rest with lessons on common plants, chiefly trees. There are a few lessons at the end on Ferns, -Mosses, Hepatics, and Fungi, but the aim throughout is to provide for practical work which can be done entirely with the aid of the specimens, a sharp knife, and a good lens. We notice a few instances of loose expression which might have been avoided. The terms endogens and exogens are unnecessary, and the bast is unfortunately described as inner bark (p. 11); while on p. 20 we are consistently told that the cambium makes bark outside and wood inside. If the teacher will note and correct these points, we can warmly recommend Mr. Macbride's Lessons^ which in handy form and clear legible production leave nothing to be desired. A. B. E.