Bibliography. 301 
r libraries abundantly furnished with illustrated works. Prof. Gray, 
in view of this ne cessity, projected, in connection with Mr. Sprague, 
the work above referred to, of which the first volume has just been 
issue 
The object of the work is to Hicierive each genus of plants growing 
in the United States, by giving along with descriptions, figures of a spe- 
cies representing in detail the foliage, inflorescence and fructification. 
Concerning the plates, the preface remarks as fo Bistones 
he figures in all cases are drawn directly from nature, by Mr. 
Sprague, and from the living plant whenever that is practicable. In 
al most every instance, the whole plant, or a branch or smaller portion, 
page will allow, are so chosen as to display the principal floral charac- 
ters of the ae from the aN of the flower-bud oe — the 
mb. 
seed, and the ryo. edful, on account of s of sub- 
generic dinate, two saictaaee es Slontell to ner aaemeiies -obe a single 
genus. On the other hand, characters which are uniform or ne arly so 
thaatgiaiis a whole order are not repeated upon every plate.’ 
— en oth is _ enerally received at the present 
otani e volum rst 
ais nese remarks, ief statement of medicinal prop- 
erties, eae on geogra Shical’ iearibettoe 
The author’s name is a sufficient guaranty for the science of the text. 
The illustrations by Mr. Sprague occupying 100 octavo plates, are cor- 
rect and chaste in style, and of high scientific excellence, satisfying the 
desires both of the eye of taste and of scrutinizing science. Prof. Gray 
observes in his preface— 
manifest to the ari botanist in the second volum e,—now in an 
in justice add, that whatever of original value these illustrations wep be 
found to © possess is reveety owing to the scientific insight and the care- 
ful el ae of Mr. Sprague, as well as to his skill and accuracy 
in deline 
the. sini selected for illustration: belong to typical species, they 
serve to convey to the mind a general idea of each gro 
they accomplish more than the most detailed description. 
he ‘‘ Genera Iilustrata,” is American in subject; and the name of 
Prof. Gray has long been associated with American botany. The pub- 
lication of such a work with so numerous plates, must have been attended 
with much labor and expense ; and it remains for the American public 
to sustain the authors in their great undertaking. Public libraries, and 
all teachers of the science should possess the worl; and the student 
Srconp Sertzs, Vol. VI, No. 17, Sept., 1848. 
* 
