rudimentary or undeveloped state, all the essential organs of vegetation, namely, a root, stem, and leaves."

The nature of the plant is, in a measure, predicted in the embryo; and it is found, that distinctions, drawn from an examination of this important organ, lead to great divisions in plants, which are confirmed by their whole aspect, habit, structure, and growth; and almost uniformly coincide with the divisions which are made by the common observation of mankind, and are indicated by their language. The embryos which are furnished with two cotyledons, or rudimentary leaves, expand these two leaves on the surface in the justrisen plant, with the plumule or growing point between them, as is the case with most plants common in our climate. Those that have one cotyledon, leave that below the surface, and send up one leaf formed of the plumule, as we see in maize and wheat. While the dodder, which has no leaves at all, is distinguished for having an embryo without a cotyledon; and, in this instance, the spiral embryo seems to foreshow the climbing habit of the plant.

The object of the second part of the work is the examination of the systems, by which plants are conveniently distinguished and arranged, particularly of the two most important ones, the artificial system of Linnæus, and the natural sys

tem.

"The object proposed by the natural system of botany, is to bring together into groups those plants which most nearly resemble each other, not in a single and perhaps unimportant point (as in an artificial classification), but in all essential particulars; and to combine the subordinate groups into larger natural assem blages, and these into still more comprehensive divisions, so as to embrace the whole vegetable kingdom in a methodical arrangement. All the characters which plants present, that is, all the points of agreement or difference, are employed in their classification; those which are common to the greatest number of plants being used for the primary grand divisions; those less comprehensive for subordinate groups, &c.; so that the character or description of each group, when fully given, actually expresses all the known particulars in which the plants it embraces agree among themselves, and differ from other groups of the same rank. This complete analysis being carried through the system, from the primary divisions down to the species, it is evident that the study of a single plant of each group will give a correct (so far as it goes) and often a sufficient idea of the struc

ture, habits, and even the sensible properties of the whole.". P. 191.

In the opinion of those best acquainted with it, botany has now reached the state when a natural system may be employed by the learner, for the purpose of finding out, first, the names, and secondly, from them the properties of plants, and their natural affinities. The two things are completely distinct. No one, who knows any thing of the natural system, can for a moment doubt, that it offers the only satisfactory mode of accomplishing the last of those two objects. But as to its being fitted to accomplish the first, so fully and easily as the artificial system has done it, we must, for the present, be allowed to entertain doubts. We are among those thousands, who, with no other help than Bigelow's "Florula," have, almost always without difficulty, found out the names of most of the common plants of New England. Why should a system, which has been so convenient and so useful, be suddenly discarded? Dr. Gray places the matter in its proper light when he says,

"The immortal Linnæus, finding it impossible in his day to characterize the natural groups which his practised eye detected, proposed as a temporary substitute, the elegant artificial scheme which bears his name. As this system is identified with the history of the science, which, in its time, it so greatly promoted, and as most systematic works have until recently been arranged upon its plan, it is still necessary for the student to understand it."

And why not to use it? A beginner is just as ignorant of botany now, as he could have been in the time of Linnæus. Just as much now, as then, he wants, first of all, to know the name of a plant; and he wants to find it out in the easiest way possible. The accomplished botanist may, without inconvenience, dispense with the Linnæan system. The fortunate few who have access to a botanic garden, a rich herbarium, books of figures, and the aid of a learned teacher, like Dr. Gray, may easily dispense with it. But how is it with the multitude of lovers of nature, scattered in the small villages, among the woods and hills, throughout the land; who have little leisure, who can afford but a single book, who can have no means of dissection, and know not an individual to tell them the name of a wild flower? To such, Torrey and Gray's admirable "Flora" is utterly unintelligible.

While thousands of such have derived unmeasured delight from the scanty knowledge they have gained, by the help of Bigelow, from an acquaintance, however slight, which they have formed with the vegetable denizens of a limited region around them. It is true, that from the artificial system they get no very great knowledge of affinities and properties, and but little of structure. They are only put in a state to receive with avidity this kind of knowledge. But it is not true, that a person who is familiar with the names, habits, and appearances of five hundred plants, however he may have learned them, is altogether ignorant of botany. He must have a very considerable acquaintance with the very characteristics which Robert Brown himself would have to notice, to enable him to distinguish the same plants. Why not, then, continue to employ, for the benefit of the great mass of the ignorant, a mode of finding the name which has answered this purpose so admirably well?

We have no doubt, that an introduction to the natural system can be framed, which may take the place of the artificial. The beautiful Flore Française" of Decandolle proves that it can. But we greatly doubt, whether even that answers the purpose so perfectly as the Linnæan system. We know not how it may be, but we doubt, whether it is as common in France for farmers' sons and village school-mistresses, with no education but that of the common schools, to have picked up a knowledge of botany, as we know it is for the same sort of persons in New England.

Such an introduction, however, may be made; and, if any one can make it, it is the author of the "Botanical TextBook." Hitherto, it has not, so far as we know, been done in the English language. The artificial analysis in Lindley's "Introduction" makes but a distant approach to it. The "Artificial Table," at the end of Lindley's "Ladies' Botany," comes nearer, but is by no means full enough. Indeed, the plan of that work did not require it. Of late we hear, that Hooker's "English Flora" has assumed a new form. The staunch Linnæan has at length yielded, it seems. We shall look anxiously for new evidence of the feasibility of the project; for, with all our old and warm prejudices in favor of the Linnæan arrangement, in a Flora for daily and common use, we shall heartily rejoice to be assured, that it can give place to something better.

We intended to examine somewhat fully the second part of the "Botanical Text-Book," but we have not space. We can only say, that it is carefully and skilfully done, and that about one third of the orders, the more important or more difficult ones, are illustrated by neat, well-designed and well-executed figures from wood engravings. We had thought of much to say of the value of the work to the gardener and farmer, the teacher, and the general student. But for all these we must refer to the work itself. We cannot avoid indulging the hope, that it is destined to be the means of introducing to the lovers of nature amongst us, a higher and more philosophical form of the now noble science of botany. The prevailing conceptions of it have been wholly inadequate. It has, in consequence of the almost exclusive use of the Linnæan method, been considered as little more than a mode of getting at the names of plants. This book puts within the reach of thousands the enlarged views and vast and exact knowledge of the Jussieus, of Linnæus, of Richard, Decandolle, and Robert Brown, men who deserve to be known to common fame, as among the greatest observers and most original thinkers of the last hundred years.

We congratulate the friends of natural science upon the election of a person of so much zeal and ability as this book discovers, to the chair of botany in the University of Cambridge. We still more warmly congratulate the Professor himself, at being able, at his age, and with his taste, to devote his time, attainments, and powers to such pursuits. The position offers enviable advantages to the votary of this delightful science. France, England, and Germany, with their strongly marked peculiarities and their deep researches, lend him all their aid. He has no national jealousies to prevent him from receiving whatever they can offer. He stands on the edge of a wilderness almost unexplored. Nature here assumes new shapes. No province of the mighty realm is fully conquered. Like Cæsar, he can command the veterans of the old world. More fortunate than Alexander, he has a new world offered to his victorious arms.

C. 7. adams.

ART. IX. A Manual of Gold and Silver Coins of all Nations, struck within the Past Century; showing their History and legal Basis, and their actual Weight, Fineness, and Value, chiefly from original and recent Assays; with which are incorporated Treatises on Bullion and Plate, Counterfeit Coins, Specific Gravity of Precious Metals, etc., with recent Statistics of the Production and Coinage of Gold and Silver in the World, and Sundry useful Tables. By JACOB R. ECKFELDT, and WILLIAM E. Du Bois, Assayers of the Mint of the United States. Illustrated by numerous Engravings of Coins, executed by the Medal-ruling Machine, and under the Direction, of JOSEPH SAXTON, of the United States Mint. Published at the Assay Office of the Mint. Philadelphia. 1842. 4to. pp. 220.

We have not at this time space sufficient to do full justice to this very useful and beautiful book. The subject of coinage is interesting to two classes of individuals in every community. One of them consists of the few, who are curious to study coins historically from the earliest period, and who generally seek to make collections for their amusement, as well as instruction. The other and much larger class, is made up of practical men, who have occasion to handle the money of various nations, and to whom it is therefore of some consequence to be well informed of the various changes in external character, or intrinsic value, through which it is perpetually passing. In the United States there is as yet a very small number of persons, who feel either able or willing to make cabinets, though we have reason to know it to be increasing. On the other hand, the discredit into which the paper currency has been thrown, by events familiarly known to all, has had the effect rapidly to enlarge the class of people who prefer a strong-box to a bank for the safe-keeping of their coin. To each of these descriptions of persons, this work must be welcome. It professes to treat of the coinage of the world for a century past, but is most satisfactory as a supplement for the last twenty years, to the manuals issued before that time in the older countries of Europe. "Since the opening of the nineteenth century," we are told, in the introduction, "France has given the first standard of