240 Loudon^ s Ericyclopcedia of Plants, 



covering, and the manner in which each part is adapted for its peculiar 

 functions, we cannot but be struck with wonder and admiration, and must 

 feel convinced that the Maker of all has bestowed equal skill in every class 

 of animated beings ; and also allow with Paley, that * the production of 

 beauty was as much in the Creator's mind in painting a butterfly, as in 

 giving symmetry to the human form.' 



" ' To see all things in God,' say the authors of the Introduction to En- 

 tomologi/y * has been accounted one of the peculiar privileges of a future 

 state ;' and in this present life, * to see God in all things, in the mirror of 

 the creation to behold and adore the reflected glory of the Creator, is no 

 mean attainment ; and it possesses this advantage, that thus we sanctify our 

 pursuits, and, instead of loving the creatures for themselves, are led, by the 

 survey of them, and their instincts, to the love of him who made and en- 

 dowed them.' The more, then, we study the works of creation, the more 

 will the wisdom and the goodness of the Creator be manifested ; and while 

 we admire the order and harmony of the whole, or the beauty and variety 

 of its parts, it will be impossible not to adore ' Him who is wise in heart, 

 and wonderful in working ; ' and at the same time confess, with humility of 

 soul, that ' The hand that made them is divine.' *' (p. 19.) 



After the preface follows an introduction, in which is discussed the gene- 

 ral character of the order Lepidoptera, and the natural as well as practical 

 history of diurnal Lepidoptera, or butterflies. These form the Linnean 

 genus Papilio, which is subdivided into numerous genera by modern ento- 

 mologists. These modern genera are here described, and a number of them 

 figured, so that there cannot be a better book for a beginner in this study ; 

 and we are therefore desirous most strongly to recommend it, regretting that 

 a press of matter prevented us from rendering the authoress this justice 

 last butterfly-season. — T. 

 Loudon, J. C.y Editor, with the assistance of Professor Lindley, Mr. Sowerby, 



and others: The Encyclopaedia of Plants; comprising all those in 



Britain, either indigenous or cultivated, flowering or without Flowers; 



with Figures illustrating one Species or more of every Genus, all the 



Classes and Orders, and many of the Botanical Terras. London. 1 vol. 



8V0, pp. 1159. 4/. 14*. 6d. 



This work, the labour of nearly ten years, is intended to be in botany, 

 what a Johnson's Dictionary and English Grammar are in the English 

 language ; and, if it is properly executed, it ought to hold the same place 

 amongst English botanists, as a grammar and dictionary hold amongst Eng- 

 lish readers. In a short time the character of its execution will become 

 known ; meanwhile, its editor can recommend the book for the objects 

 stated with the more confidence, since by far the greater part of the 

 volume is the labour of Professor Lindley and Mr. Sowerby. 

 Smith, Gerard Edwards, Esq., of St. John's College, Oxford : A Catalogue 



of rare and remarkable Plants collected in South Kent, with descriptive 



Notices and Observations. London, 1829. Svo, 6 col. pis. 



Here is an author whose names usher him into the presence of natural- 

 ists under the most favourable auspices, and who furnishes a whimsical 

 speculation how far his baptism and his botany are cause and eflfect. How- 

 ever this may be, he does credit to his patronymics, and discovers great 

 sagacity in distinguishing plants. The district he has examined compre- 

 hends Weald clay, green sand, chalk, and plastic clay ; and he has not been 

 unobserving of the limitations which these strata present to the diffusion of 

 particular plants. 



Mr. Gerard Smith was already known to English botanists as having 

 made the discovery of O'phrys arachnites, which stands recorded in the 

 English Flora upon his authority. In this " catalogue" he has elaborately 

 worked out the character of that species, and those of O. aranifera and fus- 

 clfera, while he has added coloured delineations of them, as well as other 



