The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-25 00:00:00

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The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society
f f England. Volume the eighteenth. Part.H.,

No. XL. John Murray.
This work, which is of a very superior character
and entirely devoted to the theory and practice of
scientific agriculture, maintains its reputation and
is calculated to disseminate much useful and inter-
esting knowledge among its readers. 1 tappees with
three brief tables of statistics of meteorology, public
health, and prices of provisions during the half-
year. It then proceeds with a series of articles,
combining, according to its motio, " practice and
science. Thus we meet in sequence a paper on
"Horse-shoeing," and an a .alysis of the "Manurial
Properties of Cliy," a brief account of the best
method of "Road Mending," followed by an essay on
" Agricultural Ohemistry. One of the most interest-
ing papers in the work, and the one be.st suited to
tiie general reader, is that entitled, "An Elementary
Introduction to the sutjeet of Vegetable Physio-
logy," written by one well acquainted with his
subject ; as he is not only a member of several
scientific societies, but also fills the honourable post
of Professor of Botany to King's College, London.
It is the second part of this valuable essay, and
affords most interesting and curious information
respecting a division of the great sphere of nature,
whose wonders are a t always properly appreciated.
The stem of a cabbage leaf, and a single g' ain of the
linseed, are shown to contain marvels not less sur-
prising than admirable. Those who regard only
au insignificant exterior have much to learn of
stifle ute and adaptation to necessities. One
thing we would suggest to Mr. Arthur Henfrey,
the accomplished author. The selection of simple
phraseology, and perspicuity in style render
a scientific essay far more accessible to the gene-
rality of readers, while In no way derogating from
its int, insic value. The principles of science are
in, themselves so beautifully simple, that the bar-
tiers and impediments which the learned place in
the way of the learner are the more to be lamented,

as quite unnecessary, as well as hinder ng his pro
gress. Many readers would be delighted with the
mation afforded them in Mr. Renfrey's essay,
who might be extremely , puzzled by tie words
"parenchymatous" and "monocotyledonous,"
though they cr.uld 'readily comprehend the mean-
ing of " spongy" and " having one seed-lobe." To
say nothing of such scientific terms, which if they
are introduced in a general essay should at least
have their explanation given, we meet repeatedly
such words as "morphological," "specializations"
proto-plasmic," " end. stnotic," &c., which would
present serious diffieul lei to must readers, who
might yet desire to extend their knowledge of this
interesting science. Indeed, we question' if they
invoked their dictionaries to their assistance
whether they woul.l be much wiser. Mr. Lienfrey
is not aloes in this ; it is the almost universal
lament of scientific students. But, surely, writers
of such ability and experience can find some means
of expressing themselves in simple language. The,
half-yearly reports, balance sheets, &c., will be
found in the Appendix, as usual, and we can com-
mend this useful and able publication to all prac-
tical and scientific agriculturists.