Curtis's Botanical Magazine

Abstract

A COMPLETE volume of this beautifully illustrated botanical periodical has recently been published in one cover (Curtis1 s Botanical Magazine, 147. London: Bernard Quaritch, Ltd. 63s. net). This is to fill a gap in the series created by the non-appearance of a volume in 1921. At the end of 1920, publication of the Magazine ceased, and it seemed possible that the copyright would pass to an owner in the United States; but in 1921, the Royal Horticultural Society was presented with the copyright through the generosity of subscribers. The gap thus created in the series has now been filled through the generosity of Mr. Reginald Cory, and the volume is dedicated in accordance with his wish to Sir Isaac Bay ley Balfour, Sir David Prain and Sir Frederick Moore in recognition of their services to botany and horticulture. Fifty-seven plants are described and beautifully illustrated, including eleven species of Rhododendron, fifteen of Primula and four of Gentiana. Plants from all parts of the world are described in the Magazine ; but in this volume Chinese plants take pride of place—thirty-eight species ; five South African species are described and the rest come from countries so far apart as Peru, Siberia, Japan and Tibet. The method familiar to all readers of this periodical is adopted. The history of each species, so far as it is known, is briefly given, and this is followed by a detailed description of morphology (especially floral) and distribution. The beautifully coloured illustrations of each plant described are, of course, the main feature of the volume. The authoritative nature of the text cannot be questioned. Here one notices such familiar contributors as O. Stapf (seventeen species alone and ten in collaboration either with C. V. B. Marquand or with F. Ballard), J. M. Cowan (thirteen species), A. B. Rendle (five species), and others including J. Anthony, G. Taylor, W. B. Turrill and T. A. Sprague. The volume is edited by Dr. J. Ramsbottom and does credit to editor and contributors. The price may appear to be high, but the illustrations alone make it good value and a real acquisition to any botanical library.