REVIEWS OF RECENT BOOKS 187 



and we now know, with a high degree of certainty, the Latin names 

 for a very large number of Chinese plants. This is a very important 

 step and it has required a long time to accomplish it, but a still more 

 difficult and necessary one remained to be taken ; that is, the fixing 

 and getting into general use of Chinese equivalents for the already 

 known Latin names. The knowledge along this line is in a very 

 confused condition and there is no standard work of reference to 

 which we may turn with the feeling that it has the stamp of authority 

 upon it. Now we have the first long step in this direction, a reference 

 work to which we may turn as a guide. 



Not only has the lack of Chinese equivalents for Latin terms 

 caused confusion, but also the lack of any accepted standard of 

 definition of terms in Chinese to convey certain botanical thoughts or 

 ideas. Technical terms are the results of growth in a language, and 

 in many cases the thoughts are new to the language, so new terms to 

 convey these new ideas must be made, and this necessitates creating 

 new words or giving a new significance to old terms, and these are 

 only acquired by use. A dictionary of botanical terms has long been 

 a much needed book for our students who cannot use foreign languages 

 and we wish "for this one an immediate and an extensive field of 

 usefulness. 



The preparation of such a publication is not the work of a short 

 time, nor is it the work of one man. Months and years of research 

 and the unselfish co-operation of a number of workers have been 

 required for this production, and the authors are to be congratulated 

 upon the completion of their burdensome task." 



This work should be compared with the Shohubutsu-Mei-I 

 reviewed in this number of the Journal. The translations and names 

 are not always the same. For example take Abelia biflora (Capri- 

 foliacae). Different names are given; and this is not the only example 

 of dissimilarity that could be given. Again take the word Cicuta 

 virosa. The Japanese name is the same in both : but the Chinese 

 is somewhat different. There is a further difference. The Commercial 

 Press dictionary gives a descriptive account and a picture of the 

 plant. This is a characteristic throughout and gives great value to 

 the work. M. 



Chinese Names of Plants. By J. Matsumttra, Sc.D., Tokyo. 

 Maruzen Co., Ltd. 



The name explains the book. Latin and Japanese names are 

 supplied for corresponding terms to the Chinese ; and authorities are 

 given in each case. These are fairly numerous and reputable. It is 



