BOOKS FOR THE LIBRARY. 



CXXX1X 



very marked, but there are stages in which it is not possible to strike 

 a dividing line between the two, so clearly do they resemble each 

 other in construction and habits, proving that everything material in 

 the world — perhaps in the universe — is related, and that the forms 

 assumed are the result of a marvellous forssight on the part of the 

 Creator, who has arranged everything so wondrously and so myste- 

 riously. This will be felt as the reader devours page after page of 

 Professor Kerner's book. The very fact that man has been gifted 

 with the ingenuity to discover means of finding out the wonders of 

 plant life shows what the possibilities of future discoveries may be. 

 But man must not imagine that his ingenuity is self-evolved ; it 

 evidently conies from a Higher source than self, and should be used 

 with care. Professor Kerner tells us that the Dutch philosopher 

 Swammerdarn was so impressed with what he discovered by means of 

 the microscope, that he almost lost his reason, having come to the 

 belief that he was prying into secrets which were not meant for the 

 gaze of mortals. He accordingly destroyed his notes, concluding that 

 further researches into the inner working of plants were sacrilegious. 



Besides the simplicity of the language, the work is further en- 

 hanced in value by about 1,000 beautiful engravings and sixteen 

 coloured plates, which impart not only brightness to the pages, but 

 are themselves of great scientific value. 



A Biographical Index of British and Irish Botanists. (London : 

 West, Newman & Co.) 

 To the botanist or to the practical gardener of literary tastes this 

 remarkable "Index" will be cf great value. It is the result of four 

 years' labour on the parts of Mr. James Britten, F.L.S., and Prof. 

 Boulger, F.L.S., and gives information concerning as many as 1,825 

 British and Irish botanists and gardeners who have passed away. To 

 give an idea of the amount of research made in producing the " Index " 

 it is sufficient to note that we find recorded in it the age, place of 

 birth, death and burial of almost every one noticed, together with a 

 brief indication of their social position or occupation (especially in the 

 cases of artisan botanists and of professional collectors), as well as the 

 chief University degrees or other titles or offices held. References are 

 also numerous to their literary contributions in recognised botanical 

 or horticultural papers, and numerous other well-authenticated minutno 

 are given. 



In glancing through the names — which it is needless, perhaps, to 

 say are arranged in alphabetical order — it is pleasant to note how 

 many eminent men have been connected in one way or another with 

 the Royal Horticultural Society. Considerable space, for instance, is 

 devoted to John Wedgwood, who suggested the formation of the 



