442 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



directivity of life, for it can not be conscious of any abstract idea. 

 It cannot think 14 This is I," nor consciously weigh the merits or 

 demerits of things so as deliberately to " choose," but responds to 

 whatsoever impulse comes from without. 



Taking the book as a whole, it is a valuable one for students. 



" Weeds : Simple Lessons for Children." By R. Lloyd Praeger. 

 8vo., x -f- 108 pp. (University Press, Cambridge, 1913). is. 6d. net. 



Weeds have been receiving considerable attention of late from 

 writers and legislators alike, and this little book of nature-study of 

 weeds is a welcome addition. It is intended for the guidance of 

 children's studies, not as a manual for the farmer or gardener, and as 

 such it is admirable. The author describes most of the common 

 " plants which grow in places where man does not want them to 

 grow " and shows how they come to invade the fields and pastures, 

 and at the same time gives an interesting and accurate account of 

 the manner of life of plants. The illustrations are numerous and well 

 chosen to illuminate the text and add to the interest of the reader. 



" With Camera and Rucksack in the Oberland and Valais." 

 By R. A. Malby. 8vo., 310 pp. (Headley, London, 1913.) 

 10s. 6d. net. 



This book is hardly a gardening book. It contains a description 

 of Mr. Malby's two visits to Switzerland, undertaken mainly with 

 a view to studying alpine plants in their natural habitat. For the 

 ordinary tourist Mr. Malby's wanderings in well-known parts of Switzer- 

 land do not present any features of novelty, but for the cultivator 

 of alpine plants the book is of interest, very much enhanced by the 

 excellent photographs, coloured and plain, showing studies of rock 

 plants. Mr. Malby's remarks on the building of rock gardens, based 

 upon his observations in the Alps, are much to the point. Alpine 

 plants do not naturally grow on rocks which show stratification, but 

 where accumulations of soil and detritus have settled on Alpine 

 slopes among the rocks. 



" The Violet Book." By A. and D. Allen-Brown. 8vo., 109 pp. 

 (Lane, London, 1912.) 5s. net. 



There are not too many books on the Violet, and this volume 

 is a most useful addition to the literature on this esteemed flower. 

 We have only one objection to the information given in the book, 

 and that is where the authors on p. 41, under the heading of October 

 and November, state " The time has now arrived when preparation 

 must be made for the reception of those plants which are to be moved 

 into homes for the winter season." This is followed by excellent 

 instructions on how the work should be done, but in our opinion 



