Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain and of Adjacent Siwalik and Subhimalayan Tracts

Abstract

IT is only by a very liberal interpretation of the term that this book can be referred to as a local flora, seeing that it deals with an area of 196,000 square miles, which includes not only the North-West Provinces up to the Subhimalayan slopes, but extends southwards to the Vindhaya Mountains, and thus takes in portions of some dependent States. But as a comparative term, when contrasted with Sir J. Hooker's “Flora of British India,” the expression has been applied both to this flora and also to Dr. T. Cooke's “Flora of the Bombay Presidency.” A very satisfactory feature of the book is the facility which is offered for obtaining information quickly and easily. A synopsis of the natural orders is given, arranged on principles similar to those which are so well known from Hooker's “Student's Flora,” arrangement being based primarily on the characters of the ovary. For each order and genus full descriptions and determining keys are provided, and for the species references, synonyms, locality and distribution are added. These, in conjunction with a glossary of terms, render the book available to everyone possessed of an elementary knowledge of botany. In addition to the descriptive text, Mr. Duthie has collected into the notes appended to the species a vast amount of information dealing with the identification and economic uses of the plants, both indigenous and cultivated. A perusal of the book not only serves to indicate how large a proportion of the Indian plants possess valuable properties, but also cannot fail to impress one with the comprehensive knowledge which has been acquired by the assiduous work of the author and other botanists in India who have ooccupied similar responsible positions. This part includes the orders Ranunculaceæ to Cornaceæ; the first volume will extend to the Campanulaceæ, and two volumes will complete the work.

Flora of the Upper Gangetic Plain and of Adjacent Siwalik and Subhimalayan Tracts.

Vol. i., part i. By J. F. Duthie. Pp. xvii + 403. (Calcutta: Office of the Department of Government Printing, 1903.) Price 15s.