EEYIEWS. 
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single "specimen or small group of a fine Canna forms one of the most grace- 
ful objects the eye can see. Plant a rood of it, and it soon becomes as 
attractive as so much maize or wheat. No doubt an occasional mass of 
Cannas, &c., might prove effective — in a distant prospect, especially — but the 
thing is repeated ad nauseam .” In these observations we entirely concur, 
and we trust the author’s influence may extend, so that we may hope for 
intelligent gardening in a few years. This hook, at all events, must do 
something towards the conversion of existing gardeners. It is amply illus- 
trated, and contains abundant accounts of the different forms of plants which 
may he used in accordance with the author’s instruction. It is a work to 
which we give almost the highest praise. 
A MANUAL OF COLOUR.* 
T HIS is an excellent little work, to which we wish all the success in the 
world. The author has gone on strictly scientific principles, and is 
perfectly correct in his ideas. We only wish that some one distinguished 
in the artistic world would take up the subject, and thus help in introducing 
Mr. Benson’s general views on the subject of colour. Most assuredly 
whoever he was he would find himself a gainer and not a loser by the tran- 
saction, for he would then be able to master thoroughly the science of colour. 
He could tell at a moment the exact effect of one half-tint, whereas at present 
he can only depend upon experience, and if he has not this in each particular 
instance — if, in fact, he he not an artist of very considerable experience- - 
he must remain in ignorance till he has tried. Now, if he had mastered Mr. 
Benson’s scheme, all this difficulty would vanish, for he then would become 
possessed of a perfect scientific scheme for the estimation of colours, both 
simple and compound. We think very highly of the little hook now before 
us. 
SATURN’S RINGS.f 
M R. DAVIES has wiitten a work, which does him great credit, on the sub- 
ject of Saturn’s rings. He asks the question, Have those rings been 
always there, and if not, how have they come P Of course the problem involves 
some mathematics, and even with their aid cannot be determinately proven. 
Still the author thinks he has proved satisfactorily that the rings of Saturn 
are due to the attraction of the planet which has drawn into it, and is still 
drawing towards it, multitudes of meteors, which are gradually increasing 
its bulk. If it be asked, Why should one planet alone do this? he answers, 
because it is almost the farthest away from the sun ; hence its attraction 
for these meteors is greater relatively than that of other planets much 
* u Manual of the Science of Colour, or the True Theory of the Colour 
Sensations and the Natural System.” By William Benson, Architect. Lon- 
don : Chapman and Hall, 1871. 
t “ The Meteoric Theory of Saturn’s Rings, considered with reference to 
the Solar Motion in Space.” By A. M. Davies, B.A., F.R.A.S. London : 
Longmans, 1871. 
