Ill 



iUniciu. 



Popular Field Botany, containing a familiar and technical description of 

 the plants most common to the various localities of the Srilish Isles; with 

 Uighty coloured figures of Plants. By Miss Catlow, Author of ^'Popular 

 Conchology." Second Edition, Royal IGmo., p. p. 384. London: Reeve 



AND BeNHAM. 



The title-page of a book is not always, as it should be, a condensed 

 index to the contents of the volume; in the case before us however, the 

 promises on the title-page are amply and faithfully carried out. Miss Catlow's 

 book is admirably adapted to assist those commencing a study of Botany; 

 the plants described are those most usiially met with in our every-day walks 

 in the fields and lanes, so that the learner is not confused and puzzled by a 

 multiplicity of plants, which he may be many years a diligent collector 

 before he is able to procure : Miss Catlow makes him familiar with the names 

 and properties of those he is most likely to meet with, and the selection 

 of plants suitable to her purpose, appears to us to be extremely happy. The 

 numerous coloured figures will be a great assistance to those who are not 

 personally familiar with the plants they daily see. 



The book is arranged under the months of the year, and this plan enables 

 the author to give much useful information in a pleasing and intelligible form. 

 The arrangement embraces both the classification of the illustrious Linnaeus, 

 as well as what is called the Natural System of De Candolle. The young 

 student will find ample and safe instructions for preserving the plants when 

 found; a matter of much moment to the inexperienced; and as about six 

 hundred species are described, it it probable that the name may also be found 

 without going beyond the limits of the present book. Miss Catlow, however, 

 very modestly looks upon her work as only preparing the way for the larger 

 standard authors on this interesting subject. It is with real pleasure and with 

 much confidence that we recommend this little work to our readers, both on 

 account of its own intrinsic worth, and also as the production of a lady. It 

 is with gi'eat satisfaction that we observe a growing interest in Natural History 

 among the fair sex; we are quite sure that, whether taken up as an ordinary 

 recreation, as a matter of serious study, or as a solace in a state of ill health, 

 the most satisfactory results will ever await those who enter on the study in 

 a proper spirit, such as is evident in the ^'Popular Field Botany." 



We always feel grateful to an author who places the study of Natural 

 History in its true light, namely, as the handmaid of religion; and although 

 we should consider any lengthened theological discussion ill judged in a systematic 

 work on Natural History, yet such incidental allusions as occur in the work 

 before us, are most proper and useful, and can nowhere be more beneficially 

 introduced than in a work professing to treat of some of the wonderful works 

 of God. 



We trust a third Edition of the "Popular Field Botany" may soon be 

 required. 



