tinguishing the genera and species perplexing and vexatious; look to the second order of the fifth class, containing the umbelliform plants; to the cruciform, or tretradynamic; and to the compound or syngynesious flowers, still the Linnæan method appears to us to be not only the best but indeed the only one, calculated to enable the young student to acquire a practical knowledge of botany; when more advanced, then let him begin to group and arrange the plants with which he is already acquainted, by their natural affinities and by their congenerate characters; and in this labour, he will find that Jussieu has effected more than any other author, and that his system is more comprehensive and correct than any previously unfolded. To attempt this, before he is thoroughly conversant with the plants themselves, would be like instructing a child in reading sentences, before he knew the letters, or explaining a mathematical problem to one who is ignorant of lines and angles. The remarks of Mr. Reid are so just and pertinent that we cannot do better than give them in his own words.

"According to the method of Jussieu, plants are grouped together, not because they may agree in the structure or number of any single organ, but because, on taking all their different characters into consideration, they are found to bear a strong resemblance to each other and we also find that, in general, the properties of plants are similar in those which are like in their external characters. For these reasons, it is generally called the Natural System. An acquaintance with it affords a broad, comprehensive, and scientific view of the vegetable creation; and it embodies much important information regarding the structure, physiology, and properties of plants, and their mutual relations. Though this is the system which it must always be the object of botanical science to perfect, and with which it is necessary for every student of botany to be intimately acquainted; as it has not been found possible to simplify it as much as could be desired, a knowledge of the Linnean System must also be acquired. From its comparative simplicity, it is very convenient for those commencing the study; and, indeed, till within these few years, it alone was followed in this country." 158.

According to the natural system of classification, there are two grand, or primary divisions of plants, namely, into those which have flowers, sexual organs, and a seed provided with an embryo, and into such as are destitute of these organs; the former are denominated phenogamic, or cotyledonous, and the latter cryptogamic, or acotyledonous. The first of these classes is subdivided into two large sections, the monocotyledonous plants, or those which have one cotyledon, or seed-lobe; and the dicotyledonous, or those which have two opposite cotyledons, as in the pea, lupine, &c. &c., or several in a whirl, as in some of the coriferæ.

At this stage of our progress, it is interesting to mark the strongly stamped line of demarcation between these two grand families of plants; we can only allude to one particular, we mean the difference in the structure, or anatomy of their stems. In the monocotyledonous, the stems consist of—

"Bundles of vessels irregularly dispersed through cellular tissue, and covered by a thin cuticle (88). The Sugar-cane (Saccharum officinarum), the Lily, the Palm, and the Iris, have this kind of structure, the cellular and vascular tissues being blended together through the entire substance of the stem.

Stems of this kind are called Endogenous, because the new matter by which they increase in diameter is added at the centre. Their growth is carried on by means of the thick cluster of leaves by which they are terminated superiorly. From them the new matter descends into the centre of the stem, and pushes

outwards the parts first formed. The upper parts of the leaves perish, having performed their functions; their bases remain, are pressed together, and form the new external part of the stem. In the middle of the crown of leaves is the terminal bud, which is next to be developed, to rise a little above the former, become a cluster of leaves, and in its turn be pushed outwards by a succeeding central bud.

The oldest and hardest part of such stems is that nearest to the circumference. The more the external parts are pressed by the descent of the new matter, the more close and compact they become, the outer parts being incapable of being much farther pushed out, and the whole being thus condensed into less bulk.

From the mode of growth in this stem it never can attain a great thickness, the new matter having to force outwards all the previously formed matter, which is every season increasing in quantity and becoming harder. They often, however, attain a very great height, as is seen in Palms, which are occasionally met with nearly 200 feet high.

Stems of this kind are found only in Monocotyledonous plants (406).” 28.

On the other hand, dicotyledonous plants are provided with exogenous stems, or stems in which the wood grows from without by a new layer being formed annually next the bark.

"It is pushed inwards, and becomes more compact by the pressure of each succeeding annual layer, till at last it becomes almost solid, the sides of the vessels and cells being squeezed close together: hence the great hardness of such trees in the centre."

"In exogenous plants, the new matter being added externally, a bark or covering is necessary to protect it, when young and tender, from the action of the atmosphere, and from external injury from other causes: hence an important office of the bark. In endogenous plants, the new matter, being added internally, is provided with an excellent covering, formed of the main substance of the plant, and has no need of a separate protecting integument. Thus the endogenous plant is one uniform tissue from the circumference to the centre." 36.

Without prosecuting the details further we shall satisfy ourselves by transcribing the table of the Jussieuan arrangement; and select the description of the natural families of plants, to enable our readers to form their own opinion of the manner in which Mr. Reid has executed his task.

* In the following arrangement I have brought the orders in the last class (Diclinæ) to the subdivision
Apetaleæ, and have dispensed with the arrangement into Epistamineæ, Peristamineæ, and Hypostamineæ,
which cannot be applied with such propriety where the flowers are unisexual, and the perianth often altogether
wanting.

ORDER LV.-SOLANEÆ.

curved, in the interior of a fleshy albumen. a berry 2-celled, or with many cells from enlargements of the placenta; embryo ple; pericarp a 2-celled 2-valved capsule (Datura is 4-celled and 4-valved), or segments; ovary 2-celled, with 2 many-seeded placentæ; style and stigma simwith the limb 5-cleft, (rarely 4), regular (except in Verbascum); stamens 5, (occasionally somewhat abortive), inserted in the corolla, and alternate with its sistent; corolla with a plaited æstivation, rotate, funnel-shaped, or campanulate, arranged; calyx monosepalous, in 5 (rarely 4) divisions, more or less deep, per"CHARACTERS.-Herbs or shrubs, with alternate leaves, and flowers variously

EXAMPLES.-Henbane (Hyosciamus niger), Deadly Nightshade or Dwale (Atropa belladonna), Potato (Solanum tuberosum), Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Nolana has a 5-lobed ovary, each lobe having 1 or 2 1-seeded cells. Nicotiana multivalvis has several cells external to the 2 central ones of the ovary.

ECONOMICAL PROPERTIES.-The Potato is the fleshy tuber which grows on the roots or subterraneous branches of Solanum tuberosum. It consists almost entirely of a nutritious fecula, but is said to contain an acrid or narcotic principle; this, however, is in a very small proportion, and is dissipated by heat, as in boiling or roasting. The tubercles of S. montanum and S. Venezuela are of a similar nature.-Richard. The same author informs us, that in some countries the leaves of S. nigrum are boiled and eaten in the same manner as Spinach, and that the fruit is also much used in some places. The fruit of the Egg-plant (Solanum melongena or S. esculentum) is much used as an article of food in the West Indies, and in some provinces in France. The fruit of S. lycopersicum (Tomato or Love-apple) is frequently used for sauces; and the fruits of other species of Solanum, belonging to the Tomato section, are eatable. All these, however, are exposed to heat before being eaten. 'It is stated that the poisonous species derive their properties from the presence of a pulpy matter which surrounds the seeds; and that the wholesome kinds are destitute of this pulp, their fruit consisting only of what botanists call the Sarcocarp; that is to say, the centre of the rind in a more or less succulent state.'-Lindley. The dried berries and seeds of Capsicum annuum are known by the name of Cayenne Pepper; they are hot, pungent, and aromatic, and are used as a condiment. C. frutescens and C. baccatum have similar properties. The fruit of the Winter Cherry (Physalis alkekengi) is also used as a condiment.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES.-The general character of this family, in a medicinal point of view, is narcotic. The root and leaves of Atropa belladonna are powerfully narcotic. Mr. Brandes discovered in this plant an alkali (Atropia), on which its narcotic properties depend, so extremely powerful, that the utmost caution is required in experimenting with it. The chief use of Belladonna is to dilate the pupil before the operation for cataract: abroad, it is used in hoopingcough. The herb and seeds of Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) are also narcotic, and used in the same way as opium, where the use of the latter is inadmissible; the plant contains a peculiar alkali (Hyoscyama). H. albus and H. aureus have similar properties. The extreme twigs of Woody Nightshade or Bitter-Sweet (Solanum dulcamara) are narcotic, diaphoretic, and diurectic, but little used an excellent bitter and tonic, said to be nearly equal to that of Cinchona, is obtained from the Solanum pseudo-quina. Solanum also contains a vegetable alkali (Solanine). The herb and seeds of Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium) are of a somewhat similar nature; smoking the plant has been recommended during the paroxysm of asthma. Mr. Brandes has found in this plant a vegetable alkali (Daturine), on which its properties seem to depend. The leaves of the Tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum) are narcotic, cathartic, emetic, diuretic, or errhine, according to the mode in which they are employed. Their use in the form of snuff or for smoking, is well known. The fruit of Capsicum annuum is an active stimulant and carminative, and is said to be destitute of any narcotic property. The leaves of the Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) are gently anodyne and emollient. The fruit of the Winter Cherry (Physalis alkekengi) is diuretic.

POISONOUS PROPERTIES.-All the plants of the above list, except the two last and perhaps Solanum dulcamara, are violent narcotic poisons. The Mandragore, a powerful poison, is a species of Atropa (A. Mandragora): the root is the most dangerous part of the plant, but the fruit is also poisonous. The berries of A. belladonna have sometimes proved fatal to children. The volatile oil obtained from the leaves of Tobacco is a most virulent poison, and used by the Hottentots to poison snakes: its effects, when applied to the tongue, are almost instantaneous." 266.

VIII.

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE FORMS, CAUSES, SANABILITY, AND TREATMENT OF PULMONARY CONSUMPTION. By Edward Blackmore, M.D. Physician to the Plymouth Public Dispensary. pp. 242. London, Longman and Co. 1832.

IN devoting a page or two of our Journal to the notice of the present work, by Dr. Blackmore, we are influenced by two considerations; one of which is more immediately applicable to the author-the other has reference to the public. An advertisement is appended to the volume, announcing that a second may be soon anticipated by his readers, its materials being ready for the press. Prompted by the most friendly feelings, we advise the author to rest a little from his labours, till he ascertains the amount of fame and of profit that may accrue from his present undertaking. It is not because a volume contains two hundred and forty-two pages, sufficiently well-printed and neatly got up, that, therefore, there must be something valuable— something new, or at least newly-illustrated and arranged, in its contents. -One might naturally expect this to be the case; but we are soon to be undeceived. So easy it is to become an author in the present day, that any boy, before he leaves college, may, by industriously copying out a few cases of any particular disease from the clinical records of a hospital, and affixing to the details some threadbare memoranda or flimsy remarks, have his name blazoned in all the newspapers and advertising-sheets of the Mæcenases of the age, and associated, at least for a month or two, with the names of Abercrombie, Bright, and other celebrated names.

""Tis pleasing, sure, to see one's name in print,
A book's a book, altho' there's nothing in't."

The judgment of the poet may be correct in the opinions of booksellers, of the authors themselves, and the authors' friends and patients; but, as reviewers, we may find that we cannot agree with them. Our duty to the medical public is twofold-to deliver a candid and impartial opinion of the general merits of the books sent for our inspection, in order that our professional brethren may be guided in the selection of such works as are useful, or essential to have in their libraries; and, secondly, to extract the most important and useful information from their pages; to concentrate the pith and marrow of their contents.

A very copious preface meets us at the threshold, in which the author descants upon the "inductive" and "eclectic" methods of writing; but we