(1) Illustrations of the British Flora: a Series of Wood Engravings, with Dissections, of British Plants (2) A Glossary of Botanic Terms, with their Derivation and Accent

Abstract

(1) THE figures prepared by W. H. Fitch for the original illustrated edition of Bentham's “Handbook of the British Flora” have become one of the traditions of British botany. Remarkably compact, and for their size admirably depicting the? important features in habit and characters of flower and fruit, they have proved one of the most widely used aids to the identification of British plants. Mr. W. G. Smith, who is responsible for the additional drawings necessary to bring the book more into line with modern requirements, is well known for his power of depicting the salient features of a plant subject. The new edition is of a similar handy size and form to the last, but some new features, to which reference is made in the preface, have been added with the object of increasing its usefulness. These comprise the reproduction from the “Handbook” of an “Arrangement of Natural Orders”, with some of their distinguishing characteristics, and the addition of a few synonyms and the English name below the scientific name by which each plant is known in the Handbook. In the matter of arrangement and nomenclature the Illustrations must naturally follow the companion Handbook, which is recognised as the most conservative of the British Floras. But it is to be regretted that an opportunity has not been found for rearranging in both “Handbook” and “Illustrations” the system of classification so as to bring it more into accordance with modern views. The Conifers still appear as the last family of Dicotyledons, and the catkin-bearing families are all grouped under the one family Amentacæ. The English names are still, in many cases, those invented by Bentham —that is, merely translations of the Latin name, and in no sense popular names. There is evidence of want of care in proofreading in such names as Anacharis Alismastrum, Spiranthes Romazoriana, and Orchis muscula; the first is quite a new name, and it will puzzle the editor of a future supplement to the “Kew Index” to know to whom it is to be credited, as the book has no author; the names of Messrs. Fitch and W. G. Smith appear alone on the title-page, and the preface is anonymous.

(1) Illustrations of the British Flora: a Series of Wood Engravings, with Dissections, of British Plants.

Drawn by W. H. Fitch., with additions by W. G. Smith. Fourth (revised) edition. Pp. xvi + 338. (London: L. Reeve and Co., Ltd., 1916.) Price 9s. net.

(2) A Glossary of Botanic Terms, with their Derivation and Accent.

By Benjamin D. Jackson. Third edition. Pp. xii + 427. (London: Duckworth and Co., 1916.) Price 7s. 6d. net.