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190 NOTICES OF BOOKS.
Physiology. Atoms and Molecules, Analogues and Homologues,
Esosmosis and Endosmosis, Geotropisni and Hydrotropism follow
in quick succession. In the first few pages we get to Katabolism,
though the neophyte is mercifully spared Anabolism. Diabolism,
to which an acute medical student recently assigned much importance
in matters botanic, has, I believe, not yet crept into any textbook.
The investigations we have pursued seem to lead to the conclusion
that the book is not intended for those who are quite beginners;
though the scientific accuracy of statement and the concise exposition
of sound principles make it valuable for educational purposes.
The assertion in the preface that no attempt has been made to
•' write up" (or "down") "to any syllabus," seems distinctly opposed
to the statement on the title-page that it is " especially adapted for
London Matriculation, South Kensington, and University Local
Examinations." Whether, however, the adaptation was designed
or is only accidental, it doubtless exists ; and indeed it would
be very hard to find a text-book which, studied after some easy
introductory work such as Oliver's, would better guide the student
to an accurate knowledge of those modern discoveries in the science
of Botany, an acquaintance with which is not only desirable for its
own sake, but extremely likely to "pay" at botanical examinations.
The chapter on the " Physiology of Flowers" is the best in the
book. An admirable resume is given, drawn from Darwin, Hermann
Mliller, Kerner, and Lubbock, of what is known of the fertilization
of flowers. Pollination is carefully distinguished from fertilization,
and one does not find the absurdly exaggerated estimate of the
benefits of cross-fertihzation which is so common in popular works
on the subject. An appendix on Practical Work, and another containing
a number of Examination Questions which have been set at
the London University or South Kensington add much to the
value of the book.
One has so frequently to complain of the absence or inadequacy
of an index, that it is strange to meet with a book which is
distinctly over-indexed. The number of subjects referred to is
enormous, and some of them seem to be but remotely connected
with Botany. Under the letter C, for example, besides a very long
list of botanical terms, we find references to Cats, Cattle, Crams,
and Cleanliness ! Indeed some parts of the index are so full that
they seem to have been drawn up on the model of Cruden's
' Concordance.' A short sentence, for instance, which tells that
certain leaves have their edges directed north and south, may be
found both under "North" and "South," as well as under six
other entries. Single words given in an index often lead one
on quite a wrong track. ' Browning,' standing thus in naked
simplicity, tempts us to expect a refreshing rill of poetry amid an
arid desert of scientific terminology ; and it is somewhat disappointing
to find, when we turn up the passage, that the information
given is that a certain instrument-maker's shop is in the Strand,
and in the S.W. postal division,—a statement which may be new,
but is certainly not true. But it would be a very hypercritical