upon tissues. "Plant Physiology" is treated in six chapters, and the remainder of the volume, over two hundred pages, is devoted to the "Classification of Plants." Special morphology is here elucidated, along with the exposition of the characters which underlie classification. The illustrations are numerous, attractive, and very helpful to an understanding of the text.
As a brief exposition of the complete science of botany, we have seen nothing equal to this manual, which is every way worthy of the incomparable work to which it is the stepping-stone.
Contributions to the Archæology of Missouri by the Archæological Section of the St. Louis Academy of Science. Part I, Pottery. Salem, Mass.: George A. Bates. $3.00.
This handsome quarto volume is printed on heavy tinted paper, and is illustrated by five folded maps and twenty-four lithographic plates, containing one hundred and forty-eight figures. It contains a description of the earthworks and brief references to the archæological remains of southeastern Missouri, by Professor W. B. Potter, and a description of the ancient pottery by Dr. Edward Evers. Their descriptions are terse and to the point. Dr. Evers has no theory regarding the race of people who made this pottery, neither does he permit himself to see some symbolic conception in every quaint design he meets with. He gives precisely what his readers want, a profusely illustrated volume of one hundred and forty-eight figures of various vessels, strongly drawn, and well drawn too.
We congratulate the St. Louis Academy of Science on this evidence of its prosperity, and we particularly congratulate its Archæological Section that it wastes no time or money in rummaging through Greece, Cyprus, or other parts of the Old World, in quest of antiques, when at home such rich treasures are to be revealed.
Life on the Seashore; or, Animals of our Coasts and Bays. With many Illustrations. By James H. Emerton. Salem, Mass.: George A. Bates. $1.50.
This little book forms the first volume of the "Naturalist's Handy Series," and is alike creditable to author and publisher. It will be found an exceedingly handy book for any one interested in the animals of the coast of New England. Much information regarding the development and habits of the lower animals is here given in a clear and concise form.
As a successful zoölogical draughtsman, Mr. Emerton should remember that an object expressed in lines is to be acknowledged as fully as an idea expressed in words. This remark is necessitated by his neglect in many cases to give the authorities for the drawings he uses. The book is handsomely bound and printed.
Introduction to the Mortuary Customs among the North American Indians. By Dr. H. C. Yarrow. Washington: Government Printing-Office. 1880. Pp. 107.
The series of works, of which this volume forms the third installment, has been undertaken with the object of obtaining a complete and trustworthy account of the present and ancient customs and beliefs of our North American Indians. Though much has been written on the subject by travelers and explorers, the amount which is of value is comparatively small, through carelessness of observation and the predispositions of the writers. The volumes only profess to be introductions, but it is hoped that, by awakening the interest and directing the attention of those in a position to obtain first-hand knowledge, a body of accurate and, in time, comparatively complete information can be obtained. Introductions to the study of Indian language and Sign-language, the first by Major J. W. Powell, and the latter by Colonel Garrick Mallery, have already appeared. The present volume will be followed by similar ones upon the medicine practice, the mythology, and the sociology of these Indians. In the preparation of the volume on mortuary customs. Dr. Yarrow has enlisted the services of a great number of observers, with the result of obtaining a large mass of reliable data. The plan adopted was to send to Indian agents, physicians resident at agencies, army officers, and others, a circular clearly setting forth the kind of information desired, and the precautions necessary to be taken to get it reliable. The ground covered by the volume includes the care of the lifeless body
