NOTICES OF BOOKS. 287 
and we say with pride, invaluable collection (not “too small to be of 
any great use,” as Mr. Archer, we know not why, denominates it), in 
the Royal Gardens of Kew, was so arranged; that is, the Fibres and 
Textiles were brought together, the Caoutchoucs, the Gums, Resins, 
Tannins, Dye-stuffs, etc. etc. But, as a great scientific collection, be- 
longing to a public éo¢anical establishment, it was deemed more ad- 
vantageous to visitors to arrange, as far as could be, every article in its 
proper place according to the Natural System, taking De Candolle’s 
‘Universal Flora’ for the guide. Thus, though it is quite true that 
different kinds of fibre are often placed apart from each other, yet we 
have, on the other hand, the inestimable advantage of seeing what each 
natural family yields: some, as the RANUNCULACEJE, numerous acrid 
and poisonous substances; LINE, flav and oil; MALVACEJ, fibres 
and emollients, etc. ete. Undoubtedly it would be most desirable, if 
possible, to have a double arrangement, Commercial and Scientific: 
that would require considerable space, yet we hope the day is not far 
distant when so important an object may be carried into effect. 
The plates of the ‘Popular Economic Botany’ (coloured) are of a 
very high character, though we should have been better pleased if the 
authorities, whence the majority of them are copied, were given. The 
correctness of some of the botanical information may be questioned : 
any errors of the kind may easily be corrected in a future edition, 
' which we cannot doubt will soon be called for. It is with such an 
object, and not for the sake of finding fault, that we note as follows. 
It is remarked at p. 24, in speaking of the varieties of “ Raisins or 
dried Grapes,” that “some are stoneless, presenting the curious ano- 
maly of a true fruit being perfected without seed ;” and again, “ this, 
although in the first instance only an accidental variety, yet is capable 
of being propagated and rendered permanent.” Without seed, it cannot 
assuredly be called™perfect ; and the propagation can only be by grafts _ x 
or cuttings, as so many varieties of other plants are increased.— The 
Date Palm (p. 81) does not belong to the Linnzean “ Order,” but to the - 
Class “ Dicecia."—We cannot but doubt the “ on dit” of the monkeys - 
in South America, who, when pelted? with stones and missiles, are the 
means of supplying our markets with Brazil-nuts, “ by hurling the great 
capsules, as big as cannon-balls, at their human opponents.’ Salep 
(p. 85) is assuredly prepared from the tuberous roots of many Orchi- - 
daceous plants besides those of Eulophia campestris of Cashmire, — — pow 
Manna-croup (p. 80) is generally considered to be the seeds of Festuca 
