irs THE PLANT WORLt). 



BOOK REVIEWS 



Natuhk\s (iardex. An Aid to Knowledge of onr Wild Flowers and 

 their Insect Visitors. By Neltje iJlanchan. New York, Double- 

 day, Page c^ Co., 1900. 



Chai'niing in its language, instructive and entertaining in its des- 

 criptions, an<l al)ove all, fascinating in its wealth of beautifully executed 

 illustrations, '-Nature's Garden" is a hook which is a rare i)leasure 

 to review, and one which the scientist can ricomnierd Iv Lis lay breth- 

 ren without fear or reproach. 



The arrangement is an artificial one, I)ased on the color of the 

 flowers. The same method was pui'suc;! in Mrs. Dana's "How to 

 Know the Wild Flowers'' and at first glance would seem to be a happy 

 solution of the difficulties attending scientific analysis. Ibit when it is 

 remembered that the hues of some Ijlossoms defy description and that 

 freijuently no two people will agree on the terujinology to be employed, 

 the color scheme for identification becomes rather visionary. Who, for 

 example, would venture to say where pink leaves ofl' and red begins? 

 A very large proportion of the species, however, is supplemented by 

 illustrations, some by the method of color ])hotogra])hy so successfully 

 employed in this series of })opular scientific works, the majority by 

 beautiful half tones from ordinary [)hotographs. We can recall no 

 similar work in which there is such a wealth of pictures to delight the 

 eye. 



By far the most valuable feature of "Nature's Garden", is the 

 entertaining description of the modus operandi in all cases where fer- 

 tilization is accomplished by insect agency. The works of Darwin, 

 and in recent years the lectures of William Hamilton Gibson have un- 

 folded some of the wonders of Natuie's workings in this respect. But 

 we have hitherto had no book in which there has been included as ])art 

 of the specific description a statement of the exact condition by which 

 fertilization is effected in that particular instance. The fact that the 

 accounts are usually admiral)le comj)lete and satisfactor\ sIkws the 

 author to be a close observer and student. The book should certainly 

 be in the hands of everyone interested in plants and their habits. — 

 C. L. P. 



