literary notice. 
159 
will assume an intermediate station, in which flowers are pro¬ 
duced, the brilliancy and duration of which are materially 
diminished when continued in an aqueous atmosphere. 
“ Then, again, there is the great difference which exists be¬ 
tween the climate of India and that of Mexico, and the largest 
portion of South America, to be considered ; it would be bul 
wasteful economy to grow the plants from each of these places 
together, as the temperature necessary for the Indian species 
would be more than sufficient for those from Mexico, in fact it 
would be injurious. But if two houses are maintained for 
them, every plant may be allowed its proper treatment without 
disparagement to its fellows; thus the structure devoted to 
Indian kinds being kept at a higher temperature, and with more 
moisture than the American house, the plants of the former 
may be rested in the latter, while, should it happen that any of 
the inhabitants of the cooler one begin to grow in winter, or 
before the time usual for increasing the application of warmth 
and moisture, they may be removed to the hotter house, where 
the necessary stimuli will be in waiting for them.” 
In the “ Chronicle ” review, allusion is made to the grouping 
of the genera in the directions for culture, and a distorted idea 
given that it was intended to be a scientific arrangement: at 
Chap. IV. we find the genera Broughtonia , Aganisia, Compa- 
rettia , and Angrcecurn, thrown together, and the following ex¬ 
planatory note : — “ In classing several genera together, I am 
actuated by a desire to condense my remarks as much as 
possible, because the plants thus placed together require the 
same treatment, and therefore need no separate notice.” That 
there are peculiarities of expression which distinguish many 
writers, and some of them not much to be admired, we readily 
admit; yet we hold a book may be of first-rate utility, without 
pretending to be a literary gem; and when practical information 
alone is aimed at, the production should be judged, as the 
information conveyed shall be good or otherwise. Nothing of 
the sort is attempted in the review of the “ Chronicle ” — but 
merely a quibble about punctuation, or matters of a similar 
import. From such cant of criticism” defend us ! 
