BOOKS EE VIE WED. 



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generally, on imported plants, materials for potting, Orchid houses, 

 ventilation, watering, uncleanliness and disease, and botanical Orchids ; 

 all the subjects being fully dealt with. Then follows in alphabetical 

 order an enumeration of the ninety most important genera, with an 

 enumeration of the best species under each genus, and further cultural 

 requirements and the peculiarities of each section referred to where 

 desirable. An illustration of Masdevallia Chimcera is given as a fronti- 

 spiece, and ten other Orchids are illustrated. There are also fewer errors 

 than are usually found in technical works, and as the book is so good 

 and cheap it should find its way into the hands of all interested in 

 Orchids. 



"Flower-time in the Oberland." By Rev. H. D. Rawnsley. 8vo., 

 337 pp. (Jas. MacLehose & Sons, Glasgow.) 5s. 



Canon Rawnsley has, in the volume before us, left his own lakeland 

 and gone as a change to the uplands, that is the highlands, of Switzerland. 

 His wanderings — which are those of an old traveller over well-known 

 ground— were done in the month of May, the flower-time in the region 

 visited, and it is apparent that it is the season he loves, as he takes us 

 from point to point, view to view, painting for us, in prose, the scenes 

 that unfold from flower-strewn meadows to wocded heights and the snow- 

 capped peaks beyond. Our nature-loving Canon has the esthetic sense 

 strongly developed ; he is a master of happy phrases, and has a large 

 stock of superlatives. With close study this book might be made into 

 a tour-book or into a guide to the common flowering plants of the regions 

 traversed, but it would then lose its charm. It is a book to read and 

 then day-dream over. It will appeal most strongly to those who have 

 already visited the scenes pictured, for the picturesque descriptions will 

 bring many of them back. As a student and lover of nature this worthy 

 Canon of Carlisle is well known, and in this book he shares with the 

 reader his knowledge, love, and enthusiasm. We therefore welcome the 

 book, and in doing so can only express our regret that the writer had to 

 go to Switzerland for his flower-land, for it could be found, we venture to 

 think, much nearer home. 



"Agriculture." By R. Hedger Wallace. 8vo., 352 pp. (W. & R. 

 Chambers, 1895.) 3s. 



This book was written chiefly on the lines of the old syllabus of the 

 Science and Art Department for the elementary stage. It deals with the 

 more important facts of chemistry and physics, and applies them, in a 

 skilful manner, to practical farming. As far as it goes it is similar to the 

 well-known "Fream's Agriculture : " the one might be substituted for the 

 other, except that this work does not deal with animals ; readers will differ 

 as to which is the better. Students who desire to get a sound elementary 

 knowledge of the principles of agriculture, with a view to colonial life, 

 should get this book. Already several varieties of plants mentioned have 

 been supplanted, and some of the implements are not now of the most 

 approved kinds. However, the general principles of agriculture are un- 

 usually well set out, and it is a book which should be much more widely 

 known. 



