NOTICES OF BOOKS. 285 
long period been studied too little in relation to the services which man 
derives from the vegetable world. Much has now, as Mr. Archer 
justly observes, been written, and written well, in various large works 
on the products of the vegetable kingdom, “and from these writings," 
he continues, “much of the information contained in this volume is 
derived.” Mr. Archer has moreover had great practical experience in 
commercial materials :—** Besides twelve years’ employment in the im- 
port department of the Customs, which has brought me into contact 
with most of the articles of foreign produce, I also formed the extensive 
collection of Liverpool Imports which was exhibited at the Great In- 
dustrial Exhibition. of 1851, for which I received the prize medal and 
certificate. Since then I have been acting for the Directors of the new 
Crystal Palace at Sydenham, as their agent for the collection of raw 
produce; and in these occupations I have obtained some information 
which I trust may be useful,” ete. Hence it is that this work is so 
satisfactory in relation to the commercial value of vegetable products, 
“constituting (Mr. Archer tells us) nine-twelfths of the whole commerce 
in raw produce, which employs the vast mercantile marine of this great 
kingdom." The classification adopted, he continues to observe, in this 
work is “simple, being a mere division into groups." It is neverthe- 
less, we think, not consequently clear or intelligible in what the reader 
will expect to find included under their respective heads. The first 
great division is, I. * SUBSTANCES USED FoR Foon ;” and that is sub- 
divided into, 1. Farinaceous Products, but then here is only included 
farinaceous substances derived from the seeds of plants. 2. Fruits. 
3. Nuts. Now Nuts are fruits in a botanical sense; but here the seeds 
are sometimes,so called, as in the Brazil-nut, Bertholletia excelsa ; at 
other times the hard external capsule is so denominated, as in the Sa- 
pucaia-nut or Pot-plant, Lecythis olitoria. 4. Feculas or Starches. 5. 
Spices, many of which are true fruits also; and this division is con- 
cluded by * Miscellaneous Articles.” Division II. is headed * Pro- 
DUCTS EMPLOYED IN MANUFACTURES, " but the only article under that 
is “Vegetables used for Textile Fabrics.” Division IIL. is **Mrs-. 
CELLANEOUS PRODUCTS USED IN THE ARTS AND MANUFACTURING 
Processes.” 1. Tanning Materials. 2. Materials used in Dyeing. 
3. Gums used in the Arts. 4. Oils, Oil-seeds, ete. 5. Miscellaneous 
articles, under which come Tobacco, Cork, Rice-paper, Vegetable Ivory, 
Coquilla Nuts, ete. ete. This may be considered, in one sense, a po- 
