804 



Notice of ' Outlines of Structural and Physiological Botany. By 

 Arthur Henfrey, F.L.S. Parts III. and IV. Organs of Re- 

 production and General Physiology.' 



We have already spoken of the prior parts of this little work with 

 approbation : the portion now before us confirms the good opinion 

 then entertained, although perhaps it has somewhat less claim to the 

 title of originality. In compilations of this kind, great advantage ac- 

 crues from the author's familiarity with the subject itself, not simply 

 with its bibliography ; and this familiarity was, as we thought, parti- 

 cularly evident in Part I. It is less the case now ; Mr. Henfrey seems 

 to trust the eyes of others in preference to his own : this probably re- 

 sults from timidity on the part of the lecturer, — a needless fear, for his 

 audience are not stern critics, and would be as well pleased to trust 

 the personal observations of a Henfrey as those of a Martins or Ge- 

 lesnow. Experience has shown us, that of all classes of Her Majesty's 

 subjects, medical students are the least addicted to criticise the au- 

 thority ; all they care for is, to obtain that very superficial acquaintance 

 with the subject, and those authentic certificates of attendance, which 

 serve as vouchers for the possession of botanical knowledge. 



Mr. Henfrey explains on the wrapper, that the work was " under- 

 taken in consequence of the pressing want of some Manual which will 

 put the Student in possession of the results of the numerous and im- 

 portant researches which have been published during the last few 

 years in this department of Science. The fact of these being scat- 

 tered through various journals, English and foreign, or contained in 

 the voluminous works which testify so strongly to the industry of 

 German observers, places them beyond the reach of many who are 

 interested in them, and especially of those whose time is so valuable 

 as that of Medical Students." 



And for such a purpose we cordially recommend this little volume : 

 it is concise, yet explanatory, — scientific, without pedantry or affecta- 

 tion ; and we hope its circulation will not be confined to that peculiar 

 class for which it appears to have been designed, but that it will work 

 its way into other schools than those of medicine, and find a welcome 

 in the popular as well as professional lecture-room. It is the very^ 

 thing for the popular lecturers that perambulate the outskirts of Lon- 

 don, and will save them a world of blunders, and their audience from 



a world of trash. 



O. P. 



