New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-20
NEwY TRIBUNE SEPTEMBER issl-wTTH

cries of sapmovelcnt the nutrition of carnivorous
plants, and al adequate account of all the modern
investigations in the morphology and physi-
oogy of plants In no other volume in the
language can there be found statement at
complete and compact of what is known
to-day the scientific world of Structural Botany.
In work so condensed and accurate technical Ian
guage must be largely employed. Most of the sceu
tiic terms are explained in the text, bnt the gem
era reader land this is OF series of handbooks
/ Cor general readers y will have unhappy time
in trying to master few of the sections without the
aid of GLOSSARY. which the book, to its detriment
Iacks. The very complete index is an excellent
substitute. however aud in spite of its scien
tiGc method it Will he thoroughly enjoyed by per-
of ordinary 6vation. The work is frightened
throughout by illustrative facts and ap
plicatons like the following: :" In tho buds
i of plants in spring there is very little
I water but growth begins the
quantity OF water rapidly increases. 1t is on ac
count of this increase that spring frosts iniure OPEN
ing buds which have resisted the cold of the
4 earlier part Of the season."
And again: "a surface cut in the air is not so well
able to take up fluid AZ when it Is cut under water
1for the former some change Immediately
lakes place in the cut surface, rendering it unable
Il 70 absorb the water. Cut flowers therefore, should
i have second portion removed from the stem
1 under water they then remain much longer frcsh.'
n
8 why hybrds so rare in natdre when the pollen
q of species constantly carried to the stigma Of
4 kindred species which. under certain conditions 1t
would fertilize. OF course each species has pref
" erence for it's own pollen, but it is interesting
proof of the careful and accurate way in
4 which experiments have been conducted in this
4 field when tie exact time is recorded during
& which certain species Will wait for their own.
j When pollen of different species applied first
and afterward pollen of the Species n hybrid
will not be formed if the interval between the app
cations be short Int naturalization cannot be pre-
vented under such circumstances in Nico-
& tiana in two hours. in Malva and Hibis-
Gus in three hours. and in Dian'hus IN
& five or six hours. Occasionally, however
a the examples not happily selected, as
q for instance it is stated that Crystals If calcium
oxaate occur in the walls OF the cells of Welwits-
4 cha DracRna and N many fungi" Why mention
u rare African plant and greenhouse exotic when
q the same crystals found in the rhubarb and
onions of every garden' In rare instances, too, sx
q IMPLIES omitted in section 81, where no
plants Gikc the birch or cherry are mentioned in
which the cork cells described occur.
I These outlines" as they are modestiy called, are
! SO uniformly good that it is difficult to name one
s subject which seems to lie treated satsfacto-
rv than another. Chapter ILL.,, on the external con-
formation of plants will be certain Interest, every
reader But the may he said of the sections
perature, aud those which give reasons for hello
! tropsm and other movements of plants
! II ought TO he added that while this Is properly
work for students i is not suitable one Tor young
i beginners II may be that "A systematic treatisc on
morpholocy begins naturally at the bottom, with
cell and uuceliulaT plants, and gradually advances
tp Organisms of more complex DEVELOPMENT.
But the study of botany properly begins
with the plauts about the student which he
can see and handle and taste aud smell and
not with those obscure Crowths w lch need 10 be
lnves. igajed by the aid 4" microscope Nhch mag
les 500 dilmctcrs. Nor il true that familiarity
with The details Of structural botany should pre-
cede AL attempts NJ classification. CaSsiica alton
begins with the earliest observation and compari-
son. Throughout Thu entire treatise morphologv
dnd ply sIo0cy the author Is compelled
to use the Language OF previous elias ssh
Gcation. Further than this: classification
based on external and apparent resembIances is
quite likely o hc truly scientific which is
built M a microscopy examination Of tn" struc-
turc Of the uItritlve and reproductive organ. ~
q plants. For rescmbpnces in appearance ami odor
grouped are only outward expressions OF deeper
atiinities which run through the entire structure
Owing H. the numerous Z pa IN our know ledge
y 81 special muTphOOgY,' saws author. constant
changes liable 10 be- nate IN the gemeuts
81 the larger and smaller divisions; hence every
classification or modification ~ n l. not 10 bc
icTcl final. but merely present the state
~ knowledge at the time o. it, publication And
& q l. not inconsistent with the general scheme of
creation to expect tina the Notwithstanding which
II now assumed 10 exist bel Wccn plants which have
similar external conformation viii he establ shed
3 more clearly as these gaps of Ignorance are flled