Royle's Illustrations of the Himalayas. 185 



they were so regarded by our late valued friends Mr. Havvorth 

 and Mr. Sweet, who had both devoted much attention to the 

 subject of this difficult genus, and to whose opinions we willingly 

 submit in such matters." {Swt. Flow. -Gar d., 2 s. t. 326.) In 

 our opinion, both Mr. Haworth and Mr. Sweet carried the 

 making of species to a most absurd extreme ; and we need only 

 refer in proof of this to the Narciss. Monog. of the former, and 

 the GeraniacecE of the latter. It is, we should think, the duty of 

 professors like Mr. Don and Dr. Lindley, not to " willingly 

 submit" to such authorities, but to examine into the merits of the 

 case, and then to form an independent opinion of their own. 

 Unless this be done by every succeeding botanist, the science of 

 systematic botany, instead of making progress, will become little 

 better than a useless assemblage of names. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. Royles Illustrations of the Botany and other Branches of 

 the Natural History of the Himalayan Mountains, and of the 

 Flora of Cashmere, S^c. Part V., containing from p. 137- to 176. 

 of the Illustrations of the Natural Orders; with nine beautifully 

 coloured plates of plants, and one plate of fossil bones, teeth, and 

 shells. Folio. London, 1835. 20s. 



{Continued froin Vol. XI. p. 202,) 



There are doubtless numerous species of Fitis and Ampelop- 

 sis, not yet introduced into Britain, which would stand the open 

 air as well as the species which we already have, and thus add 

 to the variety of our climbers. 



Gera7iidcecB. — Several species of Geranium and Er5dium are 

 found in the Himalayas. Mr. Royle has named a very beau- 

 tiful species of Geranium, G. UmAXeydnum, after his friend Dr. 

 Lindley, from whom he acknowledges having received great 

 assistance during the progress of his work. 



Balsammece. — This is an Indian order, there being no fewer 

 than forty-seven species of the Impatiens enumerated by Dr. 

 Wallich. I. glandulifera is a gigantic plant, which is cultivated 

 in Nepal, in the botanic garden at Saharunpore, and in the Mus- 

 sooree Experimental Nursery. As all the species of Impatiens 

 are annuals, there can be no doubt that the tender kinds would 

 flower in the open air in Britain, as well as the common balsam. 



Oxalidece. — Four genera are indigenous in India. O'xalis 

 corniculata is found in Europe, North America, Mexico, Japan, 

 the plains of India, the Himalayas, and some of the African 

 islands. 



" The different species of Oxalis are well known to contain oxalic acid, 

 combined with potass. O. Acetosella, called in England wood sorrel, well 



P 3 



