Botanical Names for English Readers. By Randal H. Alcock. (L.
Reeve and Co.)—When mankind began first to observe nature intelli- gently and give names to the different objects, plants must at a very early period have occupied his attention, especially those used for food or possessing medicinal properties. Before the dawn of strict *Aetna), it was not unnatural that the study of Botany, if the mere description of properties and a rude attempt at classification can be called study, should be confined to medical men. As, however, the Greek, Roman, and Arabic physicians described the same plant under different names,. a difficulty arose about the nomenclature to be adopted, and even now,. although LinnEeus did so much to simplify the terminology, many genera are yet distinguished by more than one name. It is very interesting, in addition to being instructive. to learn the cause of the name assigned to a plant and its sponsor. This necessitates a knowledge of the chief bo- tanists of ancient and mediaeval times and their work. Mr. Alcock has supplied the required information in this entertaining little work, giving a concise and accurate account of the early pioneers of the science and the chief botanists of our own country. It is well such names as. Sir J. Fe Smith, Robert Brown, and John Gerard should be as well known as Lindley and Hooker, especially as Smith was the real author of the famous Sowerby's "English Botany." The latter part of the work is devoted to an explanation of names of British genera, and where neces- sary, their derivation and history. Wo recommend it heartily to every student of the subject.
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