This is a very pretty and very convenient volume, on a subject which, since the world began, has never failed to excite curiosity and sympathy in all who have a proper sense of the beautiful. It contains 240 pages, and 24 finely colored engravings, which give a vivid idea of the original plants. These engravings are the _Meadow Anemone_—the _Harebell_—the _Christmas Rose_—the _Dahlia_—the _Evening Primrose_—the _Fox-Glove_—the _Heliotrope_—the _Purple Iris_—the _Jasmine_—the _King-Cup_—the _Lavender_—the _Mezereon_—the _Narcissus_—the _Orchis_—the _Clove Pink_—the _Quince_—the _Provence Rose_—the _Solomon's Seal_—the _Tobacco_—the _Bear Berry_—the _Violet Pansy_—the _Wall-Flower_—the _Yellow Water-Flag_, and the _Zedoary_. The bulk of the volume is occupied with poetical illustrations exceedingly well selected. We do not believe there is a single poem in the book which may not be considered above mediocrity—many are exquisite. The _Botanical description of the various parts of a Flower_, is well conceived—brief, properly arranged, and sufficiently comprehensive. The _Dial of Flowers_, will be especially admired by all our fair readers. The following extract from page 227, will give an idea of the nature of this _Dial_—the manner of composing which, is embraced entire, in the form of a Table, on page 229. These properties of flowers, and the opening and shutting of many at particular times of the day, led to the idea of planting them in such a manner as to indicate the succession of the hours, and to make them supply the place of a watch or clock. Those who are disposed to try the experiment, may easily compose such a dial by consulting the following Table, comprehending the hours between three in the morning and eight in the evening. It is, of course, impossible to insure the accurate going of such a dial, because the temperature, the dryness, and the dampness of the air have a considerable influence on the opening and shutting of flowers. We copy from the _Flora and Thalia_ the following anonymous lines. Alas! on thy forsaken stem My heart shall long recline, And mourn the transitory gem, And make the story mine! So on my joyless winter hour Has oped some fair and fragrant flower, With smile as soft as thine. Like thee the vision came and went, Like thee it bloomed and fell; In momentary pity sent, Of fairy climes to tell: So frail its form, so short its stay, That nought the lingering heart could say, But hail, and fare thee well! * * * * *