116 ‘Review : flodgson’s Flora of Cumberland. 
the best possible way in his ‘ Flora.’ He has disarmed criticism 
by allusion to the fact that the ‘waifs’ for which Silloth, 
Maryport, Workington, and other places are so famous, are 
incorporated under their proper orders in the text; but all 
students would have been glad if he had also printed one of his 
many valuable essays on the subject, with a full list of the 
‘waifs’ which have been recorded, with indications of their 
native land, the explanation of their casual appearance in 
Cumberland, and notes on those which have temporarily or 
permanently gained a footing there. In the case of those 
plants at least which have not the slightest claim to be regarded 
as natives this would have been a decided advantage : 
The Introduction and the very imperfect chapter on Deceased 
Botanists do not call for special remark. ey add ne 
nothing to what Baker had already supplied, except that 
have a short and welcome appreciation of Dr. Leitch, of Silloth, 
all too early removed from our midst, and the’ Rev. F. * 
Malleson, who had nearly completed his fourscore year 
the Map, the essay on the soils of Cumberland by Mr. Goodchild, 
and its accompanying chart, we are very grateful. After all, the 
value of a work like this depends, not so much on the accuracy 
of the list of plants which a given district yields, as upon the 
helps it gives the student in solving the problems of distribution. 
Why is such a plant plentiful here and missing yonder? What 
light does this or that fact throw on the great problems of plant 
life? Such are the questions we want to answer. The days of 
the mere collector are numbered ; records abound, but problems 
press for solution, and everything that helps towards their 
solution is welcome. 
We cannot fail to regret that so competent an authority has 
not supplied us with at least an attempt at a bibliography of 
the Cumberland flora. No one has a fuller knowledge of the 
&; ap 
veteran botanist to publish in ‘The Naturalist’ or elsewhere as 
complete a list as he can compile, as a starting point for the 
workers of the coming century. The volume covers 398 printed 
pages in addition to xxxvi. pages of introductory matter; is 
well printed and neatly bound, and betokens on every page 
honest and devoted toil. No price is anywhere affixed, and 
while the title page bears date 1898, we find 1899 on the cover. 
The book is one which it is in every way a pleasure to handle. 
OcKER HILL, Tipton. Hi_peric FRIEND. 
"Naturalist, 
