352 THE JOURNAL OF 150TANY 



The volume which is thus comprehensive is arranged alpha- 

 betically under genera ; among the introductory chapters is a 

 useful synopsis of the orders represented, under each being a list 

 of the genera included in the book. These introductory chapters 

 are very well done, dealing with the definitions of bulbs, corms, 

 tubers, and rhizomes and their functions, with cultivation in the 

 open air and under glass, propagation, stoving, forcing, and the like, 

 with suggestions for planting, and directions for growing for special 

 purposes ; there is also an interesting chapter on "freaks," with 

 illustrations — the illustrations throughout form an attractive 

 feature of the book, the bulk of which of course consists of des- 

 criptions of the genera and species included. To each genus is 

 prefixed what are evidently full and accurate cultural directions ; 

 to most of the species is added a reference to a coloured plate or 

 other good figure in standard botanical and horticultural works, 

 and the names of the genera are explained. An appendix contains 

 a list of the principal publications quoted and consulted, and a 

 short glossary of technical terms ; there is also an excellent index. 

 It will thus be seen that the volume, which is attractively produced 

 and beautifully printed in double columns, has been prepared with 

 great care and adequate knowledge, and forms a useful addition 

 to our botanico-horticultural literature. 



BOOKNOTES, NEWS, dc. 



In our notice of the Report of the Botanical Exchange Club 

 (p. 326) we omitted to mention the brief but interesting account 

 of the Botanical Society of London and of the early history of the 

 Club which accompanies but is detached from the Report. The 

 Club was of course a direct outcome if not an actual continua- 

 tion of the Society (which was dissolved in 1857), Mr. J. G. Baker 

 having undertaken to carry on the distribution of specimens at 

 Thirsk in connection with the local Natural History Society. On 

 the dissolution of this body in 1866, the distribution was trans- 

 ferred to London, whither Mr. Baker had moved. It would be of 

 interest if some fuller account could be published of a Club which 

 has for more than half a century been supported by -the leading 

 British botanists ; no one could do this better than Mr. Druce, to 

 whose energy it has during later years been so greatly indebted, 

 and it would be well if it could be done while Mr. Baker, its first 

 curator, is still with us. 



The number (275) of the Journal of the Linnmn Society 

 (Botany) published on Sept. 21 is devoted to an account of the col- 

 lections made in Gaza-land by Mr. C. F. M. Swynnerton, of which 

 some account was given in this Journal for 1910, p. 190. The 

 plants, which were presented to the National Herbarium by Mr. 

 Swynnerton, were worked out by the officers, with some assist- 

 ance from members of the Kew staff and other botanists. A large 

 number of new species are described and the paper is illustrated 

 by five plates and a map. We note that the description of Siuyn- 

 nertonia, described by Mr. Moore and figured in this Journal for 

 1908 (t. 495), is here slightly modified. 



