1894. | Current Literature. 123 
It is impossible to make any comment upon these volumes except 
in words of unstinted praise. The selection of appropriate parts from 
the enormous mass of letters written by Dr. Gray has been a difficult 
task, no doubt; but having been done by one who was for almost forty 
years in loving sympathy with him, it has been accomplished with the 
utmost good taste, in which it is in marked contrast with some other 
“Letters” of great men. ‘ 
Three photo-gravure portraits of Dr. Gray are given, at the ages of 
31,57and 76. There are also three half-tone engravings, of the botanic 
garden house in 1852 from a drawing by Isaac Sprague, Dr. Gray in 
his study in 1879, and the present range of buildings in the botanic 
garden, Nor must we fail to commend the very copious index, too 
commonly neglected in such books. 
€ younger generation of botanists, knowing Dr. Gray chiefly 
rough his floras, have, we fear, come to think of him as a specialist, 
great in his line of course, but limited in his interest to systematic 
votany. We, therefore, cannot urge too strongly upon such the read- 
Ing of these letters, that they may become acquainted with a man not 
ci Commanding ability as a specialist, but of wide interest in 
partments and keenest appreciation of them. 
Some, we are sure, will be surprised at these words: 
“Tam lecturing [to his colle 
on Physiological botany, 
tany this year, 
Pear as it Should be, — 
844 os 
ge class] in a popular and general way entirely 
and offering no encouragement to any to pursue sys- 
My great point is to make physiological botany ap- 
€ principal branch in general education.’’—p. 325. 
at work on smut, A la‘Bauer.’’—p. 330. (1845. 
mes will 
of hi 
“Dicorum facile Princeps!” For the letters to friends, 
Written 
4 true manife 
fragrant 
Praise, With Say, we gladly crown, at least with the flowerets of 
, this corolla of honor.” 
