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1Revicw6. 



Handbook of Practical Botany, for the Botanical Labora- 

 tory and Private Student. By E. Strasburger. Edited from the German by 

 \V. Hillhouse, JNI.A., F.L.S. Revised by the Author, and with many 

 additional Notes by the Author and Editor. With Ii6 original and iS addi- 

 tional illustrations. 8vo., pp. xxiv.— 425. (London i Swan Sonnenschein & 

 Co. 1S87.) Price 9s. 



This will prove a valuable book for the Botanical student. It is 

 divided into 32 chapters, each of which will furnish practical work for several 

 hours in the laboratory. Good and clear instructions are given for prepar- 

 ing all the various parts of the plant for microscopical study. We find 

 also some important chapters on the lower form of plant-life. The greater part 

 of the illustrations have been drawn by the author from nature. 



American Medicinal Plants : An Illustrated Descriptive 

 Guide, by Millspaugh. (New York : Boericke & Tafel.) 



We have much pleasure in acknowledging the 5th fascicle of this most 

 valuable work. This volume contains illustrated descriptions of 30 plants 

 used in medicine. Each plant is represented full-size and coloured to nature, 

 the size of plates being 9 in. by 12 in., and are accompanied by generally four 

 pages of letterpress, in which will be found— The Natural Order of the Plant, 

 its Tribe, Genus, its place in the Linnxan System, Synonyms (if any), and 

 Common Names. Then we have a general description of the plant under 

 notice, and of the genus to which it belongs ; its history and habitat ; parts used 

 in medicine, and method of preparation ; chemical constituents ; and physio- 

 logical action. Only one fascicle now remains to complete this fine work ; it is 

 promised very shortly. 



An Elementary Text-Book of British Fungi. By Wm. 

 Delisle Hay, F.R.G.S. 8vo, pp. vii.— 238. (London: Swan Sonnenschein 

 & Co. 1887.) Price 15s. . . , r 



This work deals exclusively with the larger kmds of Fungi, and alter 

 describing the characteristics of Fungi generally, their Economic use, Structural 

 Anatomy, and Classification, devotes a larger space to the edible kinds, of 

 which 221 species are fully described. The author is most anxious that Mush- 

 rooms should be more extensively eaten than they now are in England, and 

 gives 133 recipes for preparing them for table. It is to be regretted that an 

 article of food so nutritious and so easily obtainable should be so_ generally 

 neglected, and Mr. Hay will have done good service if he excites an intelligent 

 interest in the matter. At the end of the book are 64 well-executed plates, 

 with descriptions opposite. 



The First Book of Botany : a Practical Guide in Self- 

 Teaching ; Designed to cultivate the Observing and Reasoning Powers of 

 Children. By Eliza A. Youmans. Crown 8vo, pp. 158. (New York : D. 

 Appleton & Co. 1886.) 



A really valuable little book for teaching the first principles of Botany to 

 Children. It lays the foundation for a study of botany in the only true way, by 

 providing for the actual and ready study of the plants themselves. The pupils 

 are taught to observe the different parts of plants, and to apply to them the 

 correct scientific terms, which by constant use become easy to remember. The 

 book contains 249 good engravings, in which the different parts of the plants 

 are very clearly described. 



