RRVIKWS. 19 



Every particular is given tliat can be of use to' intending cultivators of this 

 truly Royal plant, and the whole is handled in a pleasing style which 'cannot 

 fail to render the book as welcome to the general reader, as to the scientific 

 Botanist or the Horticulturist. The following suggestion, at page 78, is so 

 good, and if carried out would so greatly increase the pleasure of examining tropical 

 plants in this country, that we cannot resist giving it in the Author's own 

 words : — 



""We venture to suggest that a structure raised for the culture of the Victoria, instead of being 

 merely a tiink covered in with glass, and containing the solitary plant, might be rendered much 

 more interesting by an attempt at the imitation of natural sconerj-, and the inti'oduction of a 

 few other aijuatic plants to form a pleasing contrast with the Koyal LUy. A small waterfall at 

 one end of the house, verdant with moisture-loving plants, might bo made to supply the pond, 

 and give to its surface that gentle agitation so necessary for the healthy development of the 

 Victoria. While the gigantic Lily oceupicd the chief portion of the pond, the shallow margms 

 might be planted with various small aquatics, suitable for such situations; and if space were 

 allowed, a few other tropical "VVater-lilies might be introduced into the deeper parts. It mio-ht 

 obscui-e the light too much to run climbers up the rafters, and hang drooping plants fi-om the 

 roof, but under favourable circumstances this might be done to some extent, especially in the 

 summer season, when there is abmidance of sunsliine." 



Farther on, at page 92, when speaking of our own White Water-lily, he 

 says — 



"A "Water-lily pond should always be furnished with a plentiful supply of clear water, and 

 while tlie supply is constantly kept up, it is equally essential tliat provision be made to run off 

 the supei-fluous water regularly, at short intervals, in order to preserve the purity of the pond, 

 which, besides being greatly advantageous to the Lilies, adds considerably to the beauty of the 

 pond itself; and, on that account alone, repays the trouble and expense. Li these times of 

 sanitary refonn, a piece of stagnant water should not be accounted the ornament of a pleasure 

 gi-ound, yet, strange to say, such ornaments are not unfi-equcntlj- found where thcii- existence 

 might be least expected." 



We can safely recommend Mr. Lawson's Water-lilies as an excellent hand- 

 book, for either the cultivators or lovers of this beautiful tribe of plants. 



Natural History of the British Entomostraca. By W. Baird, M. D., F. L. S. 

 8vo. Ray Society, London, ISoO. 



A carefully written monograph, on any subject, is always valuable; but the 

 Author, who, for the first time, brings together all that is known, and arranges 

 it systematically in one work, is worthy of a double portion of our gratitude. 

 This is the case with Dr. Baird, who has, in the beautiful and highly-interesting 

 volume before us, collected, from various sources, a vast mass of facts, relating to 

 those Crustacea which are termed Entomostraca, or shelled insects. Of these 

 facts he has made good use, in the histories which he has given us of the 

 different species; many of them have been discovered and first described by 

 him, and many deeply-interesting records of the habits of others, as observed 

 by himself, are recorded, and give good proof of an untiring zeal in the pursuit 

 of a favourite study. 



The general arrangement of the work is that of ]M. Milne Edwards, and 



