522 



ficient in that branch of study, it contains an immense mass of useful 

 information." Eulogistic as is this opinion, it is yet scarcely more than 

 a just tribute to the value of the work, or to the acquirements and re- 

 searches of the author. There is no volume in the English language, 

 relating to any department of Botany, which can be set on a level 

 with ' The Vegetable Kingdom ;' the vast amount of solid information 

 comprised in the volume, and (considering the quantity) the prevail- 

 ing accuracy and completeness of the details, are quite unrivalled. 

 It recalls to mind at once the more remarkable qualities which sepa- 

 rately characterize the works of a Loudon and a Brown. There are 

 here the comprehensiveness and condensation of detail which give 

 value to some of Loudon's large compilations, united with the philo- 

 sophical spirit of combination resulting from accurate analysis, and 

 the suggestive originality of a Robert Brown. 



In thus warmly expressing a sense of the value of the work before 

 us, we refer to its general character as a whole, and with an eye to 

 the intellectual exertion necessarily implied in its production. Doubt- 

 less there is much within the 970 closely printed pages, to which 

 plausible and reasonable objections might be set forth. And in so 

 great an undertaking small errors and deficiencies are unavoidable. 

 But it would be a paltry spirit of injustice or jealousy that could urge 

 any one to pick and cull out little things of this kind, which are so 

 completely overshadowed and lost in the practical utility and sterling 

 value of such a work, executed so well. We have tested the volume, 

 here and there, by looking for matters, such as recently published 

 genera, &c., which appeared likely to have escaped the glance of any 

 hurried searcher or careless compiler, and we have mostly found them 

 not overlooked by the author of ' The Vegetable Kingdom.' As an 

 inference, fairly drawn from the test, we seem entitled to pronounce 

 the work highly complete and accurate. 



The numerous, and generally well-drawn cuts, the many remarks 

 on structure and affinities, with the valuable notices concerning the 

 economical and medicinal uses of the plants, add greatly to the at- 

 tractiveness of the volume, rendering it altogether the kind of book 

 for a botanist to keep within easy reach of his hands, that it may be 

 taken up and opened, whether for instruction or amusement, at inter- 

 vals of waiting or unoccupied time ; and this over and above its in- 

 dispensable presence as a dictionary of reference and consultation. 

 Looking to the quantity and quality of its contents, the volume is re- 

 markably cheap in price. 



Among the most debateable portions of the plan and contents, may 



