390 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 
Fred. Nees von Esenbeck ; and the Iconographia Generum Plan- 
tarum of Endlicher, seem to be the models on which this work is 
cast; and we trust it will not meet with the same untimely fate 
as has befallen them. The work is intended “to illustrate the 
Botany of the United States by figures, with full analyses of one 
or more species of each genus, accompanied by descriptive generic 
characters and critical observations.” The figures are, in all cases, 
delineated directly from nature by Mr. Sprague, and from the 
living plant, wherever that is practicable. A great advantage.in 
their publication is that “the illustrations are not drawn from 
various orders or classes, at random or convenience; but the 
natural families are taken up in regular sequence, according to the 
arrangement now most prevalent among botanists (we need hardly 
stop to assure our readers that of De Candolle, and of the Flora 
of N. America, with slight alterations), and all the genera of each 
family are published together, in their proper places, thus ren- 
dering the volumes systematically complete, as they appear.” It is 
the determination of the authors to proceed with the work to its 
completion (in about ten volumes, like the one that now appears) 
if the patronage received shall warrant the hope of a moderate re- 
muneration to the artist. ‘ The ample and rapidly accumulating 
materials,” continues Dr. Gray, “both of specimens in the Her- 
barium, and of living North American plants in the Botanic 
Garden under my charge, and the prompt assistance offered by à 
large number of zealous correspondents, while they afford unusual 
advantages for the purpose, render me increasingly desirous to 
turn them to useful account, by prosecuting an undertaking, which 
may serve to facilitate the more thorough study of botany in this 
country, and perhaps contribute in some degree to the general — 
advancement of the science.” 
The plates are engraved upon steel by Mr. Joseph Prestale, 
educated at Munich. In regard to geographical extent, the work 
comprises all the plants of the Federal Union, and includes Texas, 
and the States of Arkansas and Missouri. 
The present volume extends to Portulacee, and most earnestly 
do we wish success to so laudable an undertaking. ; 
