189 
to comprise all the forms of Pyrus whose fruits are of any real 
value to mankin 
Dr. Hedrick gives a very interesting history of the pear from 
the times of the Ancient Greeks to the present day. He considers 
that the tree was commonly cultivated in Greece one thousand 
years before Christ. In referring to Theophrastus, who lived 
600 to 700 years later, the author makes a rather. sardonic 
reflection on modern horticultural scribes: ‘‘ Out of one of the 
books of Theophrastus, Enquiry upon Plants, a very good treatise 
on the pear might be compiled and one better worth following 
than many of his more modern imitators.’’ In tracing the history 
of this fruit in Italy, France, Belgium, England and other parts 
of Europe, Dr. Hedrick gives the palm to the Belgians who, by 
their cultural skill and careful breeding and selection, aided by 
a suitable climate and soil, have helped more than any other 
nation to bring it to its present perfection. “The pear was 
improved more in Belgium in one century than in all the centuries 
that had passed.” 
The climate in many parts of the United States is not congenial 
to the pear and trees seem to be much more subject to disease 
and insect pests than they are in Europe. We are informed that 
the Pacific States now form the main centre of pear cultivation 
in North America. 
Although, as already intimated, this book is intended primarily 
for cultivators in the United States, it is of scarcely less value to 
fruit-growers in Europe. It should find a place in the libraries of 
all who are interested either commercially or scientifically in 
the pear.—w. J. B. 
The Lloyd Herbarium.—Recently an papers collection of 
British Plants made by George Lloyd, M.D., has been presented 
to the Royal Botanic Gardens by Mrs. Lloyd through the Bourne- 
mn Natural History Society. 
r. Lloyd was born at Albrighton, Shropshire, in 1804 and 
wi at Edinburgh in 1826. He did not practise medicine, 
but devoted his time to Botany. He knew Sir William Hooker well 
when the latter was at Glasgow, and in company with Sir Joseph 
Hooker and the botanist Arnott made careful collections of plants 
in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. 
Most of the plants were collected between 1825 and 1843, 
but a few of later date were received from the Botanical Society 
of London and are incorporated in the collection. 
The Herbarium which numbers some 1250 sheets is for the 
most part in an excellent state of preservation, and is mounted 
on sheets with a border of cardboard. It does not contain many 
“ eritical ’’ species, but the following may be worthy of note, 
being either varieties or species which are now extinct in the 
British Isles :— 
Arthrolobium ebracteatum DC. Coll. et Com. J. C. peel 
Guernsey. 
