Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 58.djvu/669

Rh malaria and the conclusions to which they lead are presented in a clear and popular fashion, and will be found both interesting and intelligible by the general reader, albeit the translation stumbles not a little.

Botanische Centralblatt has hitherto been published in two series, in which were included original articles and reviews without classification. Chiefly as a result of the representations of a committee of the Society for Plant Physiology and Morphology, this journal announces that, beginning with 1901, the main series will contain only reviews and notices of new literature, while all original articles will be relegated to the 'Beihefte,' each to be subscribed for separately. In order to secure more adequate notice of American papers, two associate editors from America will be added to the staff, and similar arrangements will probably be made in England and other countries. The committee entrusted with the details of arrangement and selection of the American editors consists of Drs. W. G. Farlow, W. F. Ganong, D. T. MacDougal, William Trelease and D. H. Campbell. This action on the part of the Centralblatt implies a most notable advance toward securing a better bibliography of botanical literature.

completion of 'Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien,' under the editorship of Dr. A. Engler, of the Berlin Botanic Garden, is followed by the announcement that he will undertake the management of a second great systematic work, 'Das Pflanzenreich,' which will consist of a series of monographs of the flora of the world. All the important literature dealing with the taxonomy, distribution, organography, anatomy, morphology of the flower and history of development will be cited at the head of the monograph of each family. General matter will be written in German, but all technical descriptions will be in Latin. Synonyms will be cited in chronological order. More than thirty of the collaborators have already taken up the work of preparation and agreed upon rules of nomenclature. The more recently established families will be fully illustrated. This great work will be produced under the auspices of the Prussian Academy of Sciences by the aid of the Department of Education of Prussia. Monographs upon the banana family (Musaceae), by Dr. Karl Schumann; the screw pines (Pandanaceae), by Dr. O. Warburg, and the cat-tail family (Typhaceae) and burreeds(Sparganiaceae), by Dr. P. Graebner, have already appeared. It is to be said that an examination of these papers does not carry out the promise of the prospectus in the matter of rigidity of rules of citation.

noble discontent of the science teacher in the schools with the textbooks in botany is calling out a constant stream of elementary texts, the latest of which is by Prof. L. H. Bailey (The Macmillan Company). The subject is taken up in three main sections, dealing with the general anatomy, growth and reproduction, relations to environment and minute structure. Much useful horticultural practise is brought before the young student, but the text is decidedly sketchy in many places, and the book can hardly be said to place proper stress upon exact morphology, although with all Professor Bailey's books it will prove interesting reading to the beginner in botany. In the matter of introducing incidental and immaterial illustrations, much might be said in the way of adverse criticism.

Ascent of Mt. St. Elias by H. R. H. Luigi, Duke of the Abruzzi, a work published by the Stokes Company, of New York, records the accomplishment of a feat in mountain climbing which is well worth the handsome and profusely illustrated volume brought out in March last year. As a book, it is almost a masterpiece of the bookmaker's art. The appendices are the most valuable portion of the book, and future travelers in such regions will do