THE FLOWERS AND THEIR STORY.*
THERE are few things which are capable of adding more to one's happiness than a taste for botany, which is a study that can be pin-sued almost anywhere and at any time. Nor is there any branch of natural science that can be more easily taught to children, or that is better adapted for opening their eyes. We entirely agree with Mr. Friend "that young people are born with a love of Nature." It is too often crushed out of them by elders who are ignorant of natural history, and incline to despise the pursuits of naturalists. In this book Mr. Friend introduces children to the study of botany in a series of chapters in which he discourses much, we suppose, as he would were he conducting a school- class on a field-club ramble. A great number of photo- graphs replace the living specimens. We cannot help wondering whether botany is made more attractive by calling climbing-plants "steeple-jacks," or pollen "fairy gold." To head a chapter on fruits "Dame Nature's Tuck-Shop" seems to the present writer a poor joke, though others may be attracted thereby. A single specimen of Mr. Friend's style will give our readers a notion of this book. The chapter is entitled "In the Show-Room." "Let me take you round to-day and show you a few of Flora's wonderful patterns and fashions. It is always an interesting day when Mamma promises to take her daughters to see the newest style in dresses and mantles, bonnets and hats ; but Nature can make quite as wonderful a display as any of our London milliners and dressmakers. In fact, it is from Flora's realm that the patterns of leaves, flowers, fruit, and other delightful things are borrowed ; so we shall do well to go direct to her." The book sadly lacks order and systematic treatment. Nor can we think it well to begin with the study of the Compositae. Many of these criticisms deal with matters of taste, and we are aware that others may differ in their views. The substance of the teaching is clear, accurate, and interesting ; it is the form we cavil at.
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