1882.3 Analyses of Books. 551 
spirit of patience. Those who assailed him with abuse he left to 
be dealt with by the numerous and able disciples who — alike in 
this country, in Germany, and in America — were gathering 
round him. 
The second portion of the little work before us, “ British 
Opinion on Evolution,” consists of tributes to the greatness of 
Darwin paid by men and by journals of the most varied parties 
and secfts, yet all uniting in their appreciation of his genius and 
of his work. Whether the writers of these official eulogiums 
worshipped the Darwin of reality, or some picfture of him limned 
more or less according to their own notions of what he should 
have been, the future must show. The time has not yet come 
for us to understand all his greatness. 
Mr. Bacon’s “ Life of Darwin ” ought to be found in every 
school-library, and in the home of every thoughtful working 
man. 
A Dictionary of Popular Names of the Plants which furnish the 
Natural and Acquired Wants of Man in all Matters of 
Domestic and General Economy , their History, Products, and 
Uses. By John Smith, A.L.S. London : Macmillan and 
Co. 
We have here a useful work, in a department of English scientific 
literature not over-crowded, and compiled by an author who has 
enjoyed exceptional opportunities for his task. Mr. Smith has 
for upwards of forty years been officially connected with the 
Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, and was the Assistant to the 
late Sir W. Hooker in establishing and arranging the Kew 
Museum of Economic Botany. The plants are arranged alpha- 
betically under their English names, in as far as such exist ; the 
botanical names, according to Dr. Lindley’s system, being used 
for the purposes of reference and identification. It is not too 
much to say that the work teems with valuable and interesting 
information, much of which is quite unknown to the reading 
public. It is sad to learn that many of the Australian species of 
Acacia are in danger of extirpation. They are cut down in quan- 
tity for the sake of their astringent bark, and no steps are taken 
for their propagation. 
Concerning the Almond the author states that “ none now 
come, as formerly, from the Valley of the Jordan.” We have 
heard it lately maintained, however, that the name Jordan almonds 
is simply a corruption for Jardin, — i.e ., cultivated almonds, — and 
that they never were imported from the Valley of the Jordan. 
