244 REVIEWS. [October, 



Irvine's British Plants. T. Nelson and Sons, Paternoster Row. 



As a reader of the ' Phytologist/ I wish to notice this book^ 

 whichj although called an Introduction to the Science of Botany, 

 will (judging from the first part, just piiblished) be, when com- 

 pleted, a most useful work on botany. Such a book is much 

 wanted; and every person who desii^es to become acquainted 

 with this delightful, interesting, and useful science should pos- 

 sess it. 



The author has determined to place it within the reach of the 

 million, as he has already given 150 pages of letter-press, with 

 numerous illustrations, well and correctly executed, for Is. 6d. 

 A few years ago such a volume would have been eagerly pur- 

 chased at four times this price ; and I may ask, who would re- 

 main ignorant when so much knowledge can be obtained so 

 easily ? 



The work commences, as a book of science should commence, 

 with a proper description of the subject, and correct illustrations 

 of the several parts of plants, so that every reader can readily un- 

 derstand what the author means, and he will, on seeing a living 

 plant, be able to recognize it. This is a great advantage, as 

 many books leave the student in the dark on subjects which the 

 writer failed to describe correctly or intelligibly; but as the 

 author is a practical botanist, and well acquainted with his sub- 

 ject, he can describe to others what he knows himself. 



The first part is divided into sections, — Structural Botany, 

 Physiological, Systematic, Economical, and Geographical. There 

 is also a chapter on the periods of flowering of plants, duration 

 of plants, and proper time of collecting, both for examination and 

 the herbarium, which will be found particidarly useful to students. 

 The science is treated on the Natural System, which has now 

 quite superseded the old system of Linnaeus. 



I hope the perusal of this work will add many to the society 

 of botanists, and that each may find what advantage he has over 

 students of many other sciences; and that as he moves across 

 the great field of vegetable creation he will find health and re- 

 creation, and be more fitted for the active duties of business and 

 the intercourse of society. 



