The London Flora, by ALEXANDER IRVINE, is a work for
the practical botanist ; containing a catalogue of the plants found in the London district, which, for the nonce, is bounded by the Eng- glish Channel, as far as Southampton, and thence takes an lino- ginary line till it intersects the German Ocean. The catalogue is introduced by an historical sketch of the botanical classification adopted at different times; a view of' the geographical distribution of plants, and outlines of vegetable organization and physiology. The value of such a book must depend upon its accuracy, which only those who follow the steps of the author can pronounce upon : the mere lists, dry as they would seem, have a point of in- terest in their enumeration of localities. Association, like MoortE's "evening bells," conjures up thoughts of youth and home, and other days. It appears from the preface. that the labours of' Mr. IRVINE would have been lost to the world, but for the "assistance of Captain JOHN SHEPHERD, of the East India House."
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