4f54f Literary Notices, 



2 sp. ; Niphobolusj 3 sp. ; Ophioglossum, 5 sp. ; Parkem, 1 sp. ; Pleop^ltis, 

 1 sp. ; Polybotr^'a, 1 sp. ; Polypodium, 7 sp. ; Ptferis, 6 sp. ,• Schizae'a, 4 sp. ; 

 Taenitis, 2 sp.,* TodaeX 1 sp. ; Trichomanes, 1-5 sp. ; Woodsia, 1 sp. 

 Conversations on Vegetable Physiology^ comprehending the Elements of Bo»- 

 tany, with their application to Agriculture. By the Author of Conver- 

 sations on Chemistry y Natural Philosophy ^ Sec. &c. London. 2 vols, small 8vo. 

 This is a delightful book, written by a lady of high talent, on one of the 

 most fascinating subjects which can engage the female pen. We can hardly 

 conceive any young person reading it without imbibing a taste for the study 

 of plants. In the preface we are informed, that " the facts and opinions '* 

 are almost exclusively taken from the lectures of a distinguished professor, 

 of Geneva [Decandolle], on whose mode of treating the subject the follow- 

 ing just eulogium is passed in the introductory conversation : — 



" Mrs. B. M. Decandolle, so far from confining himself to the classifi- 

 cation of plants, examines the vegetable kingdom in its most comprehensive 

 and philosophic point of view. In describing the structure, he investigates 

 the habits and properties of plants ; and shows, not only how wonderfully 

 they have been formed to answer the purposes of their own multiplication 

 and preservation, but how admirably they answer the higher purpose which 

 nature has assigned them, of ministering to the welfare of a superior order 

 of beings — the animal creation ; and more especially to that of man. He 

 turns his attention particularly to point out the means by which the science 

 of botany can promote that with which it is most intimately and import- 

 antly connected — agriculture. He prepares the soil and sows the seed for 

 the husbandman ; he extracts the healing juices and the salutary poisons for 

 the physician ; he prepares materials for the weaver, colours for the dyer ; 

 in a word, as he proceeds, there is scarcely an art on which he does not 

 confer some benefit, either by pointing out a new truth, or warning against 

 an ancient error. Thus, throughout his course, his principal aim is to pro- 

 mote, by his vast stock of knowledge, the welfare of his fellow-creatures. 



" Emily. Treated in this point of view, botany cannot, I think, fail to 

 interest us. 



" Mrs. B. It is rather the physiology of botany which I propose teach- 

 ing you ; and I shall merely give you such an insight into classification as is 

 necessary to enable you to understand the structure and character of plants." 

 We wish we knew what to say, in order to introduce this book into every 

 family, either living in the country or having any prospect of ever walking 

 in fields or gardens. We particularly recommend it to mothers and go- 

 vernesses ; and we think it might be usefully introduced as a girl's school- 

 book in country schools, and as a prize-book. 



Art. II. Literary Notices, 



A Fossil Flora of Great Britain, or Figures and Descriptions of the Vege- 

 table Remains found in a Fossil State in this Country, by John Lindley, 

 F.R.S., Professor of Botany in the University of London, and Wm. Hut- 

 ton, F.G.S. &c., is announced. 



" The great end of the projected work will be to collect good materials 

 for the use of science, rather than to indulge in speculations, which daily 

 experience often shows to be delusive. At the same time, the important 

 object of determining the analogies (when any exist) between the Flora of 

 the ancient and the modern worlds, will be never lost sight of." 



The work will be published in quarterly numbers, 8vo, 10 pis. 6*., by 

 subscription. The Geological Society, and a number of our first geologists, 

 have subscribed ; and, we have no doubt, a work having such an important 

 object in view will obtain the high patronage it merits. 



