found that the latter would be almost as bulky as the body of the work. Rather than submit such a work to the public, the editor proposed to the proprietors, that, if they would consent to sustain the loss of breaking up the stereotype plates of the first edition, he would superintend a new edition gratuitously. Mr. George Don undertook the Linnean Arrangement of this improved edition, at a price far below its value; and Professor Lindley and Dr. Greville gave their services gratis. In reflecting how the most could be made of a new edition, the happy idea occurred to the editor of giving literal translations of the specific names, and the etymologies of the generic names. From this improvement alone an interest is given to the science of botany that ordinary botanists could scarcely have imagined. Those scientific names hitherto of unknown meaning to all who were not classical scholars, or profound botanical students, will henceforth present to the mind of the humblest English reader a biography or a history, and often both. It would be affectation in us to deny that we think this circumstance and others render our catalogue one of the most important presents hitherto made to the practical gardener.

We are happy, notwithstanding the immense sacrifice of time and labour which it has cost us, to have been the means of placing such a work within their reach. Without meaning to depreciate any other catalogue whatever, we certainly consider this one by far the most perfect work of the kind; and the gardener who does not possess it can never pretend to much either in the way of scientific or practical botany. The Natural Arrangement alone is worth the price of the work. We have given our reasons (Vol. I. p. 435.) for giving the species under the Linnean Arrangement rather than under the Jussieuean: to these reasons we still adhere; but, fortunately for such as may differ from us in opinion on this point, there is the Hortus Britan nicus of Mr. Sweet, the second edition of which will be ready by the time this notice is published, in which the species are given under the Jussieuean system. These two catalogues do not at all interfere with each other; and whoever can afford it ought to possess them both. The following extracts from our preface indicate the principal points of difference between the books:

"Short introductions are given [in Loudon's Hortus Britannicus] to the Linnean and Jussieuean systems, illustrated by engravings; and this circumstance, together with the important one of all, the specific names being literally translated, will, by giving the meaning of almost all the terms used in botanical description, in a great measure supersede the necessity of a grammar of botany to the young gardener. The literal translation of the specific names may be considered as, to a certain extent, teaching him the Latin language; and the etymologies of the generic names will give him the meaning of an immense number of Greek words. The species of every genus, where numerous, are subdivided into sections and subsections, which are shortly defined by specific characters; and so copious are the descriptive particulars after each species, that we will venture to assert that, the genus to which any plant belongs being known, the specific name, in a majority of cases, may be discovered by this catalogue without the aid of a Species Plantarum.

"In the popular descriptions of the Natural Orders, the medicinal properties and economical uses are slightly noticed; and the soil, propagation, and general treatment of the different groups indicated; so that this part of the work, in our opinion the most valuable collection of botanical facts that has ever been brought into so small a space, may be considered an epitome of the history, uses, and culture of the whole vegetable kingdom. Whoever has a sufficient theoretical and practical knowledge of plants and of vegetable culture to generalise on these subjects, will find, in this Natural Arrangement, the rudiments of every thing that can be said or written on botany, gardening, and agriculture.

"The literal translation of the specific names, the derivations of the generic names, the indications of derivations, and, above all, the general descriptions of the Natural Orders, will, the editor confidently expects, be found not only of great value in determining the names of plants, and in recognising them at sight, both individually and in masses; but in assisting the botanical and practical gardener to acquire some knowledge of their structure, physiology, analogies, affinities, properties, uses, and culture."

We can state all these things respecting this work with the more confidence, since the principal labour and merit belong to George Don and Alexander Rowan, and since we have not, nor can we possibly ever have, the slightest pecuniary interest in its sale.

Loudon, J. C.: Elementary Details of Pictorial Map-Drawing, in 154 Lessons, printed on One Sheet, and explained in English, French, and German, for the Use of British and Continental Working Gardeners. London, Longman and Co., and G. Charlwood; and Treuttel and Wurtz in London, Paris, and Strasburgh. Price to Gardeners, 3s.; retail price, 3s. 6d.

The purpose of this work is to show the young gardener and amateur in what manner the different objects which occur in landscape and garden scenery, and especially ground, rocks, trees, water, and buildings, are represented in maps and plans for laying out and improving landed property. The young gardener, by copying them with a black-lead pencil, or simply with pen and ink, will teach himself to draw every object in the field or garden that can be required of him, in the way of laying out parks or pleasure-grounds, or planning gardens.

We strongly recommend this work to every young gardener who is ambitious of drawing plans neatly and on scientific principles. It is unique in its kind; and we can truly say, that, if we had met with such a work thirty years ago, it would have saved us a good deal of time, some money, and a great many blunders. Whoever looks at the work, and at the price, will see that, though we expect to be paid what we have been out of pocket, yet that we can never expect profit. Had not M. Hertz, one of the cleverest young Germans that we know, volunteered the drawing, we must have charged five shillings instead of three.

Weld, Isaac, Esq., one of the Secretaries of the Royal Dublin Society, and Member of the Royal Irish Academy: An Essay on Evergreen Oaks (Quercus I'lex), originally published in Trans. Roy. Dub. Soc. Dublin.

8vo.

Mr. Weld's remarks on the evergreen oak are valuable, as they may induce planters to give that tree a place among forest trees more generally than it has hitherto been the fashion to do. The timber is described as being remarkably solid and durable; and this valuable quality is ascribed to its slow growth. Evelyn was, it seems, a strenuous advocate for the I'lex; and it is probable that, on his recommendation, the park of Harefield Place in Middlesex, the seat of Sir George Cook, was planted almost entirely with this kind of tree. From the appearance of these plantations they cannot have stood less than a century; but are far from being so ornamental as it might be expected woods of evergreens would be the leaves are liable to be tarnished, as well by the summer's sun as by the winter's frost. Their outline is lumpish and heavy, without being picturesque; and at no season of the year are they ever so interesting to the eye as the cedars of Lebanon, or even the Scotch pines which are sprinkled amongst them. The timber, nevertheless, may be very useful to the turner and machine-maker, and on this account the tree deserves cultivation. The largest specimen in England is at Col. Brereton's, near Chichester. — J. M.

M'Intosh, Charles, C.M.C.H.S., Head Gardener to His Royal Highness Prince Leopold at Claremont, and Author of the "Practical Gardener

and Modern Horticulturist:" Flora and Pomona, or British Fruit and Flower-Garden; containing Descriptions of the most valuable and interesting Flowers and Fruits cultivated in the Gardens of Great Britain, with Figures drawn and coloured after Nature; accompanied by a concise Analysis of their botanical and pomological Character, their Nature, and Mode of Culture; including a Definition of the Technical Terms used in the Science of Botany, with familiar Instructions for the Drawing and Colouring of Fruits and Flowers. London. 4to and 8vo. Price 1s. 6d. and 2s. 6d. ; or coloured, 2s. and 3s.

The object of the present work seems to be to promote a taste for botany and gardening among amateurs; and those who have hitherto been accustomed to look at plants in gardens in a cursory and unscientific manner. It contains "a concise though luminous description of the origin, the botanical and pomological character of each fruit and flower, the period of their introduction into this country, with other general and useful observations on their nature and mode of culture, it is intended to give a definition of the scientific terms which may be used in their description." An original feature" in this work is, " instructions, on easy and scientific principles, for drawing and colouring fruits and flowers, including the requisite directions for properly mixing the colours, and other minutiæ." Such are the very laudable objects of this work; and it remains only to examine how far they have been attained. After looking over the first nine parts, it gives us much pleasure to state that the descriptions and remarks are well calculated to promote the end in view: they are scientific, and, under the direction of so distinguished a gardener as Mr. M'Intosh, and so excellent an artist as Mr. Smith, it is almost needless to add, they are practical. The work is rather too expensive for a young gardener; nevertheless, we would recommend those of this class who can afford it to purchase one or two coloured parts, as a drawing-book, for the sake of the instructions which are given at the end of each part for drawing and colouring the flowers and fruits contained in it. Parts i. and ii., for example, contain Cactus Jenkinson, Calceolària corymbòsa (improperly printed on the plate with a capital C: capitals in specific names being limited, with regard to adjectives, to such as are derived from names of persons), Green-fleshed Melon, Noblesse Peach, Morello Cherry, and Gloxínia cauléscens (misspelt on the plate cauléssens). The colouring of the figures is not altogether so well as might be expected from the superintendence of Mr. Smith; but still the objects are good resemblances of nature, every one of them being taken "from the subject itself, in its highest perfection." On the whole, we can safely recommend the work both to the scientific and practical reader; and, as we understand it has a very considerable sale, we have pleasure in reflecting that it will do much good. Every one ought to acquire some knowledge of gardening, agriculture, and natural history; because, though they may never have a garden of their own, this knowledge will greatly enhance their enjoyments when looking at the gardens and farms of others, or travelling generally in the country. To promote the same object, we recommend Mr. M'Intosh to introduce occasionally notices respecting the insects, worms, birds, &c., which infest fruits and flowers; and it would be easy to give coloured figures of such small objects on the same plate with the fruit or flower, in the manner of Mr. Curtis. The value of the work would be doubled by something of this kind. As it is, however, we strongly recommend it to all who can afford the expense. To all those who are personally acquainted with Mr. M'Intosh, or have had an opportunity of seeing the high order and keeping of every thing under his care at Claremont, the excellent crops in the kitchen-garden, and the great improvements he is making in the shrubbery and pleasure-ground, what we have said of this book, or shall say of any other which may be entirely under his control, will be superfluous.

Catalogue of Flowers, Roots, Plants, &c., sold by Henry Groom, Florist, at Walworth, near London. 1830. 18mo. 6d.

We notice this trifle for the sake of stating that the list of ranunculuses is very well arranged in the manner of Tyso and Woollard, noticed in our last Number. (p. 473.)

Mangold Wurzel [erroneously spelled Mangel Wurtzel]: Report of the Committee of the Doncaster Agricultural Association on the Advantages of Mangold Wurzel as a Fallow Crop. Founded on Returns received in Answer to the Queries issued by the Committee. London, 1830. Pamph. 8vo, pp. 7.

"The advantages of mangold wurzel are these: It is more sure to plant, being very little liable to the fly or grub; it will produce more weight; it is off the land earlier; it is useful as a change of fallow crop, when the land is tired of turnips; it will grow on land where turnips cannot be raised; it is better spring food. On the other hand, in favour of Swedish turnips, it may be said, that the weeding and singling out are less expensive; there is rather more time for fallowing in the spring; the suc- ́ ́ ceeding crop is better than after mangold wurzel. Perhaps cattle feed best on Swedish turnips when they are used alone. It must, however, be remarked, that these last two evidences in favour of Swedish turnips are not fully proved, and only partially supported. In conclusion, perhaps two observations may be of use. First, That the very early season at which mangold wurzel should be sown, renders it highly expedient that the land should be made as clean as possible in the autumn, so that a few days in the spring may be sufficient to get it into a proper state for the reception of the seed. Secondly, That wet seasons do not suit mangold wurzel so well as dry; and, consequently, for the last two years, the Swedish turnips have been the more valuable crop of the two."

ART. III. Literary Notices.

THE Genera and Species of Orchideous Plants. By John Lindley, Esq.. F.R.S. &c. Part I., Malaxídeæ, 8vo, 78., is in an advanced state. This work will consist of about five parts.

The Introduction to the Natural Orders, by the same author, is just published in 1 vol. 8vo. Price 12s.

Arboretum Britannicum; or, the Description, History, Native Country and Habitation, Uses, Cultivation, Botanical Figures, and characteristic Outlines of all the Trees and Shrubs which will endure the open air in Great Britain. In 1 vol. 8vo. Edited by J. C. Loudon. This work is in preparation by competent persons, under our guidance and inspection, and it will be brought out as early as possible, in order to cooperate with our Illustrations of Landscape-Gardening, &c. (see p. 576.), in promoting the diffusion of a greater variety of trees in our useful and ornamental plantations and pleasure-grounds. Besides botanical figures of the principal species, skeleton outlines will be given of the general shape and character of the tree at different ages. In short, though the work will be highly condensed, so as to be sold cheap, yet the subject of hardy trees will be exhausted.

An Encyclopædia of Essential Knowledge for Women of all ranks, forming a comprehensive system of female education in the most extensive sense of the expression; preceded by a general history of female education in all ages and countries. This work, which will appear in separate volumes, is in preparation by a fully competent and well known authoress.

PART III.

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ART. I. General Notices.

DESCRIPTION of a Rattery invented by the late Mr. Robert Paul of Starston, Norfolk. My dear Sir, You were pleased to express yourself so well satisfied with a recent notice of an article by me on Ratcatching (see Country Times, No. 18.), that I am willing to hope a more detailed account of the plan therein alluded to may not be unacceptable to you. I shall endeavour to illustrate my meaning by appropriate sketches; which, though not so satisfactory as I could wish (having been merely given from memory), will, I trust, enable you the better to understand my description.

This "Rattery" was, as I have elsewhere stated, invented by my late excellent friend Robert Paul of Starston, in Norfolk. He bestowed much labour and time to bring it to perfection; and, though living in a situation peculiarly favourable for encouraging the breed of rats, used to boast that he had completely subdued them. In fact, I have heard him say that he offered a reward to any one who would bring rats on his premises; and that having marked and turned off one particular pair, he betted a wager that he should soon catch them both; which, in the course of a very few days, he did. He selected, as the site of his rattery, some outhouse where rats were known to frequent, and which he could lock up, and keep sacred to his own devices and operations. Here he fixed his trap, the construction of which will be best understood by referring to the accompanying sketches. (figs. 111, 112.) This spot he endeavoured to make as inviting and comfortable to the animals as possible; for which purpose he placed faggots, loose wood, and even straw, with an occasional wheat sheaf, on and about the trap. His plan was, to render the trough (1) a complete thoroughfare; for which purpose the trap or falling bottom (g) was, for several days, secured by a pin, and the end (m) used as a feeding place. After the rats had got accustomed to the spot, and passed the bridge with confidence, he took out the pin which secured it, and every rat that attempted to pass thereafter was taken prisoner. I should here observe, that great care is necessary in the construction of this part of the trap. It is not enough that the floor give way under the rat, and be merely brought back into its place again by the balance weight at the end of the bridge (h). One rat might be accidentally so caught, but you would not catch a second. They are, as is well known, remarkably cunning and suspicious in their dispositions; and are in the habit of trying the bridge with their forefeet, in order to ascertain its soundness, previously to adventuring the weight of their bodies thereon.* It is obvious, therefore, that unless the bridge is sufficiently fastened to enable the rat to make this trial, the

*The same precaution is said to be used by elephants in regard to temporary bridges over which they have to pass. They will sound them with their trunks as far as they can reach; and if, in their judgments, they are not sufficiently secure, it is perfectly nseless to try to get them over.