150 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



NOTICES OF BOOKS RECEIVED. 



Johnson's 41 Gardbnees' Dictionary." London : Geo. Bull & Sons. 

 18 ( J3. 



Probably no book has ever attained the same degree of popularity 

 among all classes of gardeners as Johnson's " Gardeners' Dictionary." 

 The first edition appeared in 1846, but since that time the ideas and 

 methods of gardeners have undergone a very considerable change, 

 and vast numbers of new plants have been introduced to cultivation. 

 A handbook which did not keep pace with these important develop- 

 ments would be of little use in the course of a few years, and although 

 two supplements have been added since 18G3, the publishers have 

 wisely decided to have the whole work recast and brought up to date. 

 This task has been entrusted to Mr. C. H. Wright, F.R.M.S., and 

 Mr. D. Dewar, curator of Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and until recently 

 chief of the Herbaceous Department in the Royal Gardens, Kew. 

 Many improvements on the previous editions of the book are notice- 

 able, both in the style and in the arrangement of the matter, and 

 there can be little doubt that this new edition will prove most accept- 

 able to every gardener. 



The " Genera Plantarum " has been followed in the main as the 

 authority for the nomenclature, although it has not been strictly 

 adhered to. The generic names are printed in clear black type, and 

 are in all cases followed by cultural information. The species are 

 arranged alphabetically under their respective genera, with concise 

 particulars as to height, prevailing colour, date of introduction, and, 

 in many instances, references are given to figures in the principal 

 botanical and horticultural works, while, to make matters clearer, 

 sketches are frequently added. The meaning of the specific names 

 will form a list at the end of the work, while the derivation of the 

 generic names is given immediately after each. In short, the work 

 is a gardener's dictionary in every sense of the term, and, in addition 

 to its other good qualities, has the further recommendation of being 

 published at such a price as to bring it within the reach of all. It is 

 estimated that it will be completed in eight one-shilling parts ; six of 

 these have already been issued, with an aggregate of 708 double- 

 column pages. The last part yet issued brings us down to the 

 description of u Pleopeltis," a genus of Ferns closely allied to Poly- 

 podium. 



Manual of Orchidaceous Plants. London : James Yeitch & 

 Sons. 



Every orchidologist should possess this most excellent work. 

 The ninth part has now been issued, and it may practically be con- 

 sidered the final one- so far, at least, as the description of genera 



