116 
REVIEW. 
The Doctor's style of writing is simple and very interesting, differing widely 
from any work previously published on this subject, which not only want the 
pleasant mode of conveying the knowledge, but the far greater part (not excepting 
Dr. Lindley's famous Introduction"), notwithstanding their excellence and 
utility to the practical and experienced, are too complicated for those totally 
unacquainted with Botany, 
The most discouraging parts of Botany to a beginner consist either in the 
numerous new and strange names, of which the meaning has to be learned, or in 
the minuteness of the parts by which plants are distinguished from each other, or 
in the great multitude of species of which the vegetable kingdom consists ; and 
it must be confessed, that there is something seriously alarming in the mass of 
preliminary knowledge which, it would appear, has to be acquired, before any 
perceptible progress can be made. 
But on looking at the subject a little more closely, we find, that of the 
technical names employed, only a small number are really necessary in the 
beginning ; that minute parts are little consulted in practice, however much they 
may be in theory ; and that the arrangement of Botanists is so perfect, that no 
more inconvenience is experienced from the number of species than in any other 
branch of Natural History. 
In the present work the study is divested of many real, and the greater part 
of the imaginary difficulties usually attending it. The great obstacle to its falling 
into many hands is its price; and though with all our hearts we wish it every 
success, we hope a cheaper edition may be devised; not that we consider this dear, 
for in its present style it could scarcely be afforded cheaper, but because we regret; 
that any persons, and young gardeners in particular, should be deprived of so 
pleasing and easy a method of studying a science of so much importance to them. 
The course to be pursued by those who would push their inquiries beyond the 
information in this book, should be of this nature. They should read some 
introduction to Botany, in which the modern views of structure and of vital action 
are well explained (perhaps not one equals, certainly none excels that written by 
the Doctor, and reviewed by us, vol. ii. page 129 of the Horticultural Register) : 
they should make themselves familiar with technical terms, which, although 
avoided in the letters of this work, cannot be dispensed with in works of a more, 
exact and scientific character ; they may at the same time perfect themselves in a 
knowledge of the Natural Orders, by gathering the wild plants that are within 
their reach, comparing them with each other, and with the characters assigned to 
them in scientific works. 
Having thus provided themselves with a considerable amount of fundamental 
knowledge, they may apply themselves to the study of the natural system in its 
great features. They will then, and not till then, be able to appreciate the various 
modifications of organisation that connect one tribe of plants with another, and to 
understand the infinite wisdom and beautiful simplicity of design, which are so 
visible in the vegetable world : the just appreciation of which, through countless 
gradations of form, structure, and modes of existence, it should be the constant^ 
aim of the Botanist to demonstrate. ' 
