370 THE JOURXAL OF BOTANY 



by nearly all the notable Oriental scbolars of the University. This 

 connection between Oriental Studies and Botany has prompted the 

 author to give certain eastern names of plants and quotations illus- 

 trating the use of these names " : in this detail, help is acknow- 

 ledged from various professors in the presentation of Arabic, Persian, 

 Chinese, and Sanskrit words. 



From these particulars it will be seen that the Guide is not 

 trammelled by conventional lines — a certain freshness of treatment 

 characterises it throughout; thus the ''Glossary" is limited to 16 

 words, selected app.irently at random, followed by a useful " note on 

 leaves," the reason for which is not obvious. 



Coming to the text proper, we are struck by the extent of the 

 information given in small compass therein in an interesting way. 

 The descriptions give evidence of much varied readmg ; classical 

 authors and early botanical as well as recent writers are cited — under 

 Elecampane we have a verse from lludyard Kipling, and in connec- 

 tion with Cocoa a quotation from Prescott's Conq^iiest of Mexico; 

 geographical distribution is indicated, and there are notes of general 

 interest. The statement that Lycium cliiiieiise Mill. " was sent from 

 China along with the true Tea Plant with which it was subsequently 

 confused" (p. 90) is new to us, and differs from the generally accepted 

 origin of the name. Moreover, Miller (Grard. Diet.) does not say that 

 the Lycium was " sent along with the true Tea plant," but that " seeds 

 were brought to England a few years past, and the plants were raised 

 in several gardens, and by some were thought to be the Thea." 



The Guide, which is well printed, neatly bound, and embellished 

 with 23 illustrations of interesting plants, contains a plan of the 

 the Garden, and has an excellent index. 



An Introdnction to the Chemistry of Plant Products, By P. Haas 

 and J. G. Hill. Vol. II. Metabolic Processes. Pp. viii, 1-JO. 

 Longmans. 7s. 6d. net. 



In no branch of botanical study is there such a deficiency of 

 introductory text-books in the EngHsh language as in the domain of 

 plant-physiology. Haas and Hill's Metalolic Processes is therefore 

 sure to find a warm welcome, accompanied perhaps by a slight feeling 

 of regret that a somewhat fuller treatment was not deemed advisable. 

 The book is, however, intended. to form a basis for further study, and 

 as such, deals more especially with the established facts and the out- 

 standing problems awaiting solution. The authors may be con- 

 gratulated on their success in dealing with this difficult task, whose 

 magnitude perhaps only those can appreciate who know the enormous 

 mass of literature involved and its frequent inaccessibility. The 

 text is lucid throughout, and the chemical and physical principles 

 underlying many of the physiological ])henomena are so clearly 

 explained as to be comprehensible to a student who has little special 

 knowledge of these other sciences. 



The book is divided into six chapters, the first of which is devoted 

 to a brief introductory account of the living plant and a_ very clear 

 exposition of the principles involved in the determination of the 



