THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGHST. 
36 
[ February, 
plates are, for the most part, singularly faithful and effective examples of colour¬ 
printing ; they are not uniform in character, some containing one, some two, 
some three figures, and these of a mixed character, while the subjects associated 
together do not in all cases harmonize; but the plan adopted has the advantage 
of economising space, and may be improved upon as to the association of subjects 
when its defects are pointed out. The figures, taken individually, are neatly and 
carefully executed, and give a good idea of the plants which they represent, 
while the text, in addition to a brief sketch of the general features of each, notes 
all the leading botanical characteristics of the family to which it belongs. In 
order to meet any objections to the miscellaneous arrangement of the subjects, it 
is intended to give a classified index. The term Alpine must be understood in a 
wide sense, as including ornamental perennials of any kind, and hence the book 
will commend itself to the many lovers of choice hardy flowers. The charming 
figure of Cypripedium spectabile will, we hope, set many persons growing that 
floral gem. The numbers, which are wonderfully cheap, are, we presume, issued 
monthly, though we find no notification thereof. 
Of quite another character is Dr. Prior’s Popular Names of British Plants,* - 
of which a new edition has recently appeared. The object and scope of this 
book is explained in the second portion of its title. The subject is a very 
difficult one, but has been honestly grappled with by the author, and the result 
is a most interesting and useful work of reference for those who care to know 
u what’s in a name.” A brief extract or two will illustrate this :— 
“ Foxglove, a name that is so inappropriate to the plant, that many explanations of it 
have been attempted, by which it might appear to mean something different from the glove of 
a fox. Its Norwegian names, Rev-Vielde, fox-bell, and Reveleika, fox music, are the only 
foreign ones that allude to that animal, and they explain our own as having been in the first 
place foxes’-glew or music, A.S. gliew, in reference to a favourite instrument of earlier times, 
a ring of bells hung on an arched support, a tintinnabulum, which this plant, with its hanging- 
bell-shaped flowers, so exactly represents. Its present Latin name Digitalis was given to it 
by Fuchs, with the remark that up to that time (1542) there was none for it in Greek or 
Latin. D. purpurea, L.” 
“ Codlin, originally coddling, or coddle, to stew or boil lightly, a boiling apple, an apple for 
coddling or boiling, a term used by Shakespeare (T. N., i. 5), of an immature apple, such as 
would require cooking to be eaten; but now applied to a particular variety, Pyrus Mains, L. var.’i 
In Bustic Adornments for Homes of Taste, f of which a new edition was 
published a few months since, we have an amplification of a book which in a 
less costly form has met with encouraging support. Its object is fairly indicated 
in the phrase which stands for its title; and its get-up is such as to fit it for the 
use of those who occupy fair and pleasant homes, and who seek to find in and 
about them innocent and rational enjoyment. The present edition, which forms 
a rather bulky and freely-illustrated volume, is divided into two parts,—the 
Adornments of the House, comprising Aquariums, Fern Cases, Aviaries, Ac.; and 
* On the Popular Names of British Plants; being an explanation of the origin and meaning of the names of 
our indigenous and most commonly cultivated species. By E. C. A. Prior, M.D. Second Edition. London : 
Williams and Norgate. 
t Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste. By Shirley Hibberd. New Edition, revised, corrected, and 
enlarged. London: Groombridge and Sons. 
