1858.] REVIEWS. 321 



lecture^ being delivered to the working classes, was marked by 

 tbe almost total absence of technical terms and of such expres- 

 sions as would tend to puzzle rather than instruct the hearers. 



Mr. Hindis praiseworthy attempt to render botany an educa- 

 tional means is a good example, which might be imitated with 

 great advantage to the unlearned, from whom science, like a 

 dead language, is locked up. It is recommended to the con- 

 sideration of our readers, and we shall have much pleasure even 

 in attempting to reduce botanical science to the comprehension 

 of the myriads. 



Irvine^s Illustrated Handbook of the British Plants. Parts II. 

 III. and IV. Thomas Nelson and Sons, Paternoster-row. 



On a late occasion the publication of this work was announced 

 in this Journal, with such remarks upon it as the issue of the 

 first number enabled its reviewer (who is unknown to us) to 

 make respecting it; and to those remarks, not less favourable 

 than correct, we may request the reader to refer. 



Since that period three additional numbers have appeared ; and, 

 on a careful examination of them, we believe it will be admitted 

 that they afford additional evidence of the comprehensive nature 

 of the work. 



In the first number there is a brief Introduction, made ex- 

 ceedingly intelligible to all, although previously perhaps com- 

 plete novices in t]ie science of botany, by the frequent accom- 

 panying explanation of technical terms in simple language. The 

 first part is exclusively appropriated to such introductory matter, 

 and includes almost everything relating to the subject generally, 

 thus enabling the student to obtain a knowledge of the anatomy, 

 or structure, and physiology of plants : their morphology, or the 

 variety of forms assumed by their different constituent parts, the 

 geography of the vegetable creation, the technicalities of science, 

 or the characters they severally present, by which their classifica- 

 tion may be arranged, technically termed taxonomy, thus ulti- 

 mately conducting to a knowledge of their various divisions, 

 classes, orders, genera, and species. But for the exposition of 

 these subjects, it will be necessary to refer to the work itself. 



N. S. VOL. II. 2 T 



