THE AMERICAN BOTANIST P.9 



tic anini.ils. thcv have largely lost tlic power to look out for 

 themselves, hut it is (|uite different with the- \cy:i\ plants. 

 These latter have consulted their own tastes onl\- and in con- 

 se{|uence are often exceedingly particular as to soil, exposure, 

 and \ arious other matters. Those who ha\e attempted to 

 cultixate trailinj^ arhutus, tlie pink lady's slipper, the huck- 

 leherry and hoi,^ plants, generally, are well aware of this. 

 Xot onl\- may wild plants languish in our gardens, hut their 

 seeds often refuse to grow, unless they are specially treated. 

 Inducing such plants to grow, therefore, hecomes an accom- 

 plishment that may come as a htting climax to many adven- 

 tures. Recently ITerhert Durand has attem])ted to help mat- 

 ters along hy the publication of a hook with the title of 

 ■"Taming the Wildings". The i)ook is uniform in size with 

 the well-known field-books of Schuyler Matthews and the 

 text also suggests these books, hut here tlie resemblance ceases 

 for the author begins with a discussi(Mi of natural soils and 

 their treatment and follows this with directions for treating 

 trees and shrubs and a list of the best varieties. Then come 

 chapters on herbaceous plants and their cultivation, includ- 

 ing descriptions of 184 of the best kinds and the book ends 

 witli further chapters on harch- feni.s, heaths, plant protec- 

 tion, wildflower and bird sanctuaries, rock gardens, etc. In 

 the case of desirable [)lants the author indicates which may be 

 transplanted from their haunts, which should l)e purchased 

 and which are so rare that they should be protected in the 

 ])laces where they grow. At times one is inclined to disagree 

 with recommendations of this kind. The common clematis, 

 the May-apple and the bittersweet, for instance, do not ap- 

 pear so difficult to transplant or so rare that one needs to 

 buy them, nor do the bluebells {Mcrtensia ) . wild pldox, or 

 wild indigo need to i)c' gi\en sanctuary. Indeed, the last- 

 mentioned becomes a real weed in proper situations. One 



