118 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



or less of a joke. An examination oi the book shows few if 

 any important crop phmts that are unknown to the general 

 reader. The minor crops listed are apparently rarely capable 

 of being developed into valuable additions to our farms and 

 gardens. There is listed a large number of fruits, especiallv 

 from the tro[)ics. that have heretofore been practically un- 

 known and a still greater number of plants that can be used 

 [IS i)ot-lierbs, teas, etc. These latter ha\e been largel)' reported 

 as ])eing used b\- Inchans and the natixes of various uncivilized 

 parts of the eartli. J\loreo\er, since it would I)e manitestly 

 impossible to try out a luuidredth part of the plants menticnied, 

 a majority are reported on the freciuently inaccurate ol)serva- 

 tions of travellers. In this way the hard, bony seeds of the 

 witch ha/.el are reported on the strength of a statement by 

 Ratinesc|ue, and the highl\- jioisonous seeds of Datura Mctcl 

 probably {P. Mctcloidcs) are given a place. CypJiouiaiidra 

 I l(iyl:^'C(/i from Granada is said to be used in Buenos Aires, 

 It ma\- be atUled that it is fairly common in Jamaica and has 

 been ship[)ed to the New \'ork markets under the name of 

 Jamaica goose-berry. Although a large mmil)er of the plants 

 listed are onlv of nominal food value, their inclusion greatly 

 enhances tlie value of the l)ook. We now feel that we have 

 a i)rettv complete list of the food ])lants of the world under 

 recogni/(.(l scienlilic names in a single volume. The notes 

 for the most part are largely concerned with the parts ol each 

 species eaten, the treatment necessary to make them palatable. 

 their flaxor and oIIut characters, and references to the other 

 works from which this information was ilrawn. .Ml the staple 

 crops are treated at considerable length and their varieties 

 discussed. 



