2 



amount to a similar sum. Altogether we never saw so extraordinary a book ; as every body, from 

 the most illiterate gardener to the most erudite botanist, must be astonished at the multitudinous mass 

 of information it contains in so small a compass. In fact, it appears to us not a whit less wonderful 

 than the fabled story of the Iliad in a nut-shell." Monthly Review, July 1829. 



" Botany, as well as other branches of study and of intellectual employment, is making rapid 

 strides. Hitherto, however, it must be confessed that this delightful branch of natural history has, 

 in consequence of the more valuable books on the subject being published in a dead language, been a 

 sealed study to a very large portion of mankind. As far as the plants of our own country are con- 

 cerned, the labours of Smith alone, by his introductory works, by his English Botany and his English 

 Flora, have brought botany within the compass of the humblest capacity, without at the same time 

 detracting from its scientific character. But if any one unacquainted with the Latin language had 

 wished to become conversant with the characters and properties of the plants that are cultivated in 

 our gardens, there was no book that would aid him in so laudable a pursuit. We have, then, seen 

 announced, with more than ordinary pleasure, an Encyclopedia of Plants, under the general direction 

 of an active and enterprising gentleman, Mr. London, whilst the determining the character of the ge- 

 nera and species, and what number of them was to be introduced, were promised from the pen of 

 Professor Lindley. Under such auspices the execution could not fail to be such as would meet the 



wants and wishes of the botanical public, and its appearance we have now to announce. We 



should convey a very imperfect idea of the Encyclopedia of Plants, were we only to mention that it 

 contains the generic and and specific characters of 16,712 species of plants which have grown on British 

 soil. These characters are accompanied by figures of nearly 10,000 of the plants, engraved on wood. 

 When we say that these are executed from drawings by Mr. J. D. C. Sowerby, expressly for the 

 work, it will be at once conceived that their execution is good. It is indeed excellent ; and considering 

 the necessary smallness of the figures, they are highly characteristic. The whole, we may con- 

 fidently assert, forms a book perfectly sui generis. The quantity of matter is truly astonishing ; and 

 the entire publication is offered at a price so moderate (four and a half guineas) that we can hardly 

 dare to hope it will do more than cover the expenses of the public-spirited booksellers, who have 

 spared no cost to render it, what we confidently pronounce it to be, the most useful and the most po- 

 pular botanical work that has ever appeared in the English language." Jameson's Edin. New Phil. 

 Journ. No. 14. 



" To the students of botany and the lovers of flowers, the work before us is, in our opinion, the 

 richest present which ever came from the press ; being full, complete, and of very extraordinary 

 accuracy ; while it is withal cheap. The ' Encyclopaedia of Plants,' indeed, contains every thing re- 

 quisite for the botanical student, as it contains the best glossary of the scientific terms which we have 

 met with ; the whole well illustrated by accurate engravings, and, what we think still better, by refer- 

 ence to plants, exemplifying the terms. With respect to the system adopted, it contains both that of 

 Linnajus and that of Jussieu ; the first very properly forming the basis of the descriptive part of 

 the work, while the second is afterwards developed with sufficient minuteness to serve every useful 

 purpose. The judicious Editor has adopted the system of Linnaeus, so far as it forms an Index to the 

 plants indigenous or introduced into Britain ; but he has also added to the descriptive details of each 

 genus many important and useful remarks, not to be found in any other botanical work with which 

 we are acquainted, with references to the cultivation and uses of the several species. Whoever is 

 desirous of seeing the two leading systems of Botany amply exemplified, may be referred to the 

 tncyclopaadia of Plants,' which forms, indeed, a very complete botanical library, and affords inform- 

 ation that it would, at a moderate estimate, require several hundred pounds' worth of other works on 

 botany to supply. ''Athenamm, June 3. 1829. 



Also, by the same Author, 



AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDENING ; 



COMPRISING 



THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF HORTICULTURE, FLORICULTURE, 

 ARBORICULTURE, AND LANDSCAPE GARDENING; 



Including all the latest Improvements; a General History of Gardening in all Countries; and a 

 Statistical View of its present State, with Suggestions for its future Progress in the British Isles. 



ILLUSTRATED WITH MANY HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD. 

 Complete in One large Volume 8vo. Price 21. extra boards. 



AN ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF AGRICULTURE ; 



COMPRISING 



THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF THE VALUATION, TRANSFER, LAYING OUT, 

 IMPROVEMENT, AND MANAGEMENT OF LANDED PROPERTY; 



And the Cultivation and Economy of the Animal and Vegetable Productions of Agriculture, including 

 the latest Improvements ; a General History of Agriculture in all Countries ; and a Statistical View 

 of its present State, with Suggestions for its future Progress in the British Isles. 



In One large Volume Svo. closely pi inted, with upwards of Eight hundred Engravings on Wood. 

 A New Edition nearly ready. 



