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NOTICES OF BOOKS.
Introduction to Fresh-water Alf/a, with on Enumeration of all the
Ihititih species. By M. C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D., A.L.S. Kegan
Paul, Trench, Triibner & Co. London, 1890. 13 tab., illustrating
all the genera ; 8vo, 334 pp. Price 5s.
The author of this book deserves the highest credit for his good
intentions. To furnish the public with a book of handy size containing
descriptions of the British Fresh-water Algae, and figures of
all the genera, with an introduction to their study— all this at a
reasonable price—is an aim of the most worthy kind. The plan of
the book and the idea of producing it are most creditable to
Mr. Cooke, but he should have induced some one else to carry the
matter into effect.
Soon after the publication of Cooke's ' British Fresh-water
Algae,' it was shown by Dr. Nordstedt in these pages,* and by
other writers elsewhere, that Mr. Cooke's claims to illustrate this
subject are of the most slender character. Mr. Cooke's methods
of book production were then laid bare, and the character of
many of his figures was properly described by the most eminent
living authority on this subject. It is, of course, impossible for
us to know whether Mr. Cooke took that lesson to heart, and
has prepared the present volume as some sort of apology for
his more ambitious work, or whether he remains "of the same
opinion still." Judging from the book before us, the latter view is
much the more likely one. In the Introduction, p. 6, Mr. Cooke
says:— "The historical review may be briefly summarised by
dividing it into three epochs, of about forty years' duration for
each, the first being limited by the publication of Dillwyn's ' CoufervjE,'
the second by Hassall's ' Fresh-water Algas,' and the third
by Cooke's ' British Fresh-water Algae.'" Here is an author who
refers to his own book as an epoch-making one ! and such a book !
Phycologists live in perilous times when Cooke's ' British Freshwater
Algae ' marks
an epoch.
Those who know Mr. Cooke's numerous and varied writings are
familiar with his refreshing habit of speaking out the faith that is
in him without deference to authority, and with hard words for
those who may excite his wrath. His chapter on " Classification "
in this book contains a scathing reference to Mr. A. W. Bennett's
classification of Algae, and his chapter on what is here called the
" Dual Hypothesis " is to be noted for its outspoken language.
Mr. Cooke must be aware that in this matter he lives in a very
Crystal Palace of glass, and no doubt he is prepared for sportsmen
who may be inclined to return his fire. Let us look at this chapter
on the "Dual Hypothesis," not that there is anything dual about
the hypothesis, but only about the subjects of it. Most reasonable
people have spontaneously remarked that in the controversy, while
it lasted, on the subject of the dual nature of lichens, the systematic
lichenologists were ranged on one side, and the morphologists
pitched over against (and into) them. It was further noted that
* Jouni. Bot. 1887. ;^u5.