Abstract
THE author of a book that passes through twenty-five editions in seven years has reason to be satisfied. Such is the record of Dr. Schmeil's “Text-book of Botany,” which is intended for use in high schools and similar institutions, as well as for teachers and home students. It is largely a systematic compilation treating of phanerogams, with a shorter review of cryptogamic types; to this is added an account of general morphology and physiology, and a brief appendix on plant systems and geographical distribution. The success of the book may be attributed to the training value of systematic botany in a general course of education. The information proceeds by families, for which one or more of the important members is taken for tolerably full description, especially with regard to features of biological interest, while others, particularly those of economic interest, are mentioned, and in many cases figured. Among the numerous illustrations those portraying general habit and appearance are a notable feature. Most of the coloured plates refer to an individual species, but one is a representation of a wood in the carboniferous epoch. It would be useful if general characters were given for each family mentioned; as it is, they are omitted in those cases where they are not readily obtainable.
Lehrbitch der Botanik für hähere Lehranstalten und die Hand des Lehrers, sowie für alle Freunde der Natur.
By Prof. O. Schmeil. (Sechsundzwanzigste Auflage.) Pp. xvi + 534. (Leipzig: Quelle and Meyer, 1910.) Price 5.40 marks.
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Lehrbitch der Botanik für höhere Lehranstalten und die Hand des Lehrers, sowie für alle Freunde der Natur . Nature 86, 482 (1911). https://doi.org/10.1038/086482b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/086482b0