Abstract
THE author of the present volume had previously written a similar book on the trees of the same region, which he defines as “Canada and the United States east of the Mississippi and north of the latitude of Southern Pennsylvania.” This region is peculiarly rich in both trees and shrubs, most of which are hardy and will flourish in this country; and, as a matter of fact, many are familiar here in cultivation. Therefore a work of this kind appeals to amateurs on this side of the Atlantic as well as the other, and, although an unpretentious production, we can recommend it as a useful aid to those interested in the subject, especially to such as already possess some general knowledge of shrubs. The descriptive part is as free from technicalities as it could well be, arid intelligible to any person whose knowledge of botany does not go beyond the veriest rudiments. The figures are for the greater part merely outlines, and so far accurate; yet hardly sufficiently detailed for use in our gardens, where American plants are associated with those of all other temperate climes. In the fields and forests of America they would be more serviceable. Botanical and popular names are given, and the derivation of the former, at least as to genera. The descriptive matter is here and there enlivened by appropriate poetical quotations; and the properties and uses of the more important plants are given. The Ericaceæ are perhaps the most numerous and attractive among the shrubs of Eastern America. No fewer than ten genera of this family are enumerated. Missing the Rose Acacia, Robinia hispida, we had almost convicted the author of omitting a favourite shrub; but we find it does not reach quite so high a latitude as 40° in America, though it is quite hardy in most parts of the British Islands. We also missed Menispermum, Wistaria, and other climbers; but we suppose they will be included in the “Vines” of North America, to be dealt with in a third volume, announced by the author.
The Shrubs of North-Eastern America.
By Charles S. Newhall. 8vo, pp. 249, with 116 woodcut figures. (London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1893.)
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H., W. Our Book Shelf. Nature 49, 28 (1893). https://doi.org/10.1038/049028a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/049028a0