323 REVIEWS. [January, 



Of the various modes of classifying the vegetable kingdom, 

 the aiithor gives a decided preference to the Natural Method, as 

 it is designated, and especially to that modification of it adopted 

 by Lindley in his ' Vegetable Kingdom.' 



We would however respectfully submit, whether the author 

 may not here rather too much undervalue the Linnsean classi- 

 fication, so long the guide of British botanists, and in many of 

 its classes presenting a true natural arrangement ? 



In the Second and Third Parts of the work the author enters 

 into a particular description of every known British plant (ex- 

 cluding, at present, the minuter Orders of Cryptogamia) ; and in 

 this, the chief department of the work, he has a full opportunity 

 of displaying his practical knowledge of the subject. 



The distinctive characters of the species are in general clearly 

 pointed ovit, so as to render their identification as easy as pos- 

 sible to the student, whilst at the same time he appears to avoid 

 the formation of new species out of the varieties or freaks, as it 

 were, of form produced by a difierence of soil, temperature, etc. 



In the Second Part of the work the author gives a short but 

 clear description, illustrated by figures and explanations (which 

 very useful illustrations are continued through the work), of the 

 more obscure Cryptogamic Orders, as Alga, Fungi, Lichenes, 

 Hepaticce, and Musci, — entering thus into the sixth Order, or 

 Lycopodiacea, where he first commences to describe species 

 particularly, adding to each a pointed or very clear description, 

 the area and number of counties in which the plant is found, the 

 latitude also, and the altitude, — these latter valuable additions 

 being taken from Mr. Watson's ' Cybele.' From the Lycopo- 

 diacea the author proceeds to treat of other Orders in succession, 

 amongst which are the Characece, EquisetacecB, Filices, Graminea, 

 Cyperacece, Liliacea, etc., down to the twenty-eighth Order, or 

 OrchidacefE. 



In the Third Part the Dicotyledonous Orders are described as 

 far as the Order Boraginacece. This Third Part fully sustains the 

 character of the two preceding parts ; or, if any difference exists, 

 may possibly excel them in the variety, extent, and accuracy of 

 the information conveyed. In fine, it may be stated that the 

 distinguishing features of this valuable acquisition to the British 

 botanist who has not a botanical library at his elbow, are its com- 

 prehensive nature, the neat and distinct figures illustrating tlie 



