15 NOVEMBER 1890, Page 46

The Plerarna. By the Rev. E. P. Chittenden, M.A. (G.

P. Putnam's Sons.)-Mr. Chittenden's purpose is so high that we should be sorry to cast any ridicule upon his work. Yet we cannot but say that it seems a mistake. It reminds a reader of Darwin's " Loves of the Plants "-has Mr. Chittenden ever heard of this ? -but it is not so intelligible. Here is a stanza of an ode :- " The TAME of the howKii-the nectar:Nis flowers : The whole of thy blossoms build cyclical towers, Where the Phyllaries lean

On a torus of green; And the calyx, verticillate, softly embowers."

And here a portion of narrative :- 'Salute the Anima, 0 Alga green!

Salute, 0 CryPtogatnia Life calls

For life ; conterminous, your bounds, o'er all; Coincident your freedom on this isle. Together, claim and clarify the seas! Together, pierce and populate the deeps! Together, love and labour on the shores!"

And there are some nine thousand verses, more or less, of this fashion !