Abstract
THE publication of a new work by Prof. F. O. Bower dealing with the Archegoniatæ is an event of importance in the study of the morphology of plants. For Prof. Bower, who has contributed largely to our detailed knowledge by his investigations, has never rested content with mere description. He has always aimed at bringing the facts under general conceptions or hypotheses. His work has thus never lost the impulse of the evolutionary point of view, whether it has been a direct quest for phyletic lines or, as he here puts it, an attempt “to visualise the Methods of Advance which these primitive Land-Plants appear to have followed in their evolution”. That he has retained this aim and the faith that it may be reached is closely connected with his work having been concerned with the Vascular Cryptogams or Pteridophyta, for these present exceptionally favourable material for evolutionary morphology. They can be studied apart from the later evolved Gymnosperms and Angiosperms, they are represented by varied living forms and they have a wonderfully good and instructive fossil record.
Primitive Land Plants, also known as the Archegoniatæ.
By Prof. F. O. Bower. Pp. xiv + 658. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1935.) 30s. net.
Enjoying our latest content?
Log in or create an account to continue
- Access the most recent journalism from Nature's award-winning team
- Explore the latest features & opinion covering groundbreaking research
or
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LANG, W. Primitive Land Plants, also known as the Archegoniatæ . Nature 135, 806–808 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/135806a0
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/135806a0
