196 THE JOURNAL OF BOTANY 
wasted on the Linnean classification to four pages. The work has 
throughout been very carefully done, so far as Mr. Boulger’s share 
in it is concerned ; if the publishers had performed their part as well, 
they would have strong claims to the gratitude of beginners in 
British botany. That they have not done so is literally manifest at 
a glance, for it is impossible to open at any page of the book with- 
out seeing that ‘‘ the resources of civilization,” so far as typography 
: ea 
seem to kno nly one fount of type, in the capitals of which 
are printed, with dull uniformity, page-headings, names of classes, 
0 » genera pe” might never have been invented, 
judicious employment. The want of clearness is further empha- 
sized by the fact that the name of each genus, instead of standing 
in a line by itself, in accordance with general practice, merely 
begins a line of text; and the useful practice of placing it at the 
head of each page has not been followed. 
The mode in which the book is described is also perplexing, not 
to say misleading. On the cover ad is lettered: ‘‘ by Rev. C 
Johns. New and Revised Edition”; but the title- “page informs us 
it is ** = rewritten and revised by M r. Boulger.” This being 
so, one wonders why Mr. ohns’s name appears as the author, and 
why Mr. Boulger’s is omitted from the cover. The Society’s list 
mentions that ‘‘the natural order of classification has been adopted”’ 
—a statement which has naturally led the casual reviewer to mention 
this as a new feature of the work, whereas it has never been arranged 
otherwise. Considering that the book is in its 29th edition, and 
must therefore ee already brought to the §.P.C.K. very con- 
siderable profit, it is to be regretted that they have come perilously 
near spoiling the ship—or is rit sheep ?—for a ha’porth of tar. Yet 
only such false economy can explain the retention of a considerable 
number of worn and otherwise unsatisfactory figures and the inser- 
tion of others—e. g. of the Cyperacee—which are a discredit and 
a disfigurement to the book. That in spite of these drawbacks it 
is a useful addition to British botanical literature is entirely due 
to Boulger 
La Nature Tropicale. Par J.Costantiy, 8vo, pp. 815. a ae 
figures in the text. Paris: Bailliére. 1899. Price 6 fran 
Tas volume is Number XCIII. of the Bibliotheque saci 
Internationale, published under the direction of M. Em. Alglave, a 
series comparable to our International Scientific Series. It gives a 
readable account of some of the conditions of plant-life prevailing in 
the tropics, and more pelea those of oa! tropical forest. The 
text. 
stantin divides his subject-matter into headings, each of 
which comprises several chapters. Under “ Préliminaires” he 
